[BobnBev]

Originally Posted by Carla B

Exactly. Otherwise, how is a driver in the left-hand lane ever going to exit, or are they condemned to keep going 'round and 'round.

Sounds like poor Charlie on the MTA

[Sandtrap328]

Washington, DC has lots of roundabouts called "circles". Most have 4 lanes in them.

It is always funny to see tourists navigate the circles - especially if they accidentally get in the inside lane.

Rumor has it that a tourist has been stuck in the inside lane of Dupont Circle just going around and around since the Bicentennial.

[BobnBev]

Ask 100 people, get 100 different answers.

Time to start a "dog poop" thread.

[Polar Bear]

All the details discussed here are valid considerations for safety, but actually unnecessary to consider the situation proposed in the op...

When approaching a roundabout, you must yield to both lanes in the roundabout. It doesn't matter where you or they are going. You must simply yield...wait for them to pass before you proceed.

[CWGUY]

Originally Posted by suesiegel

It is or should be clear to all that the round abouts are DANGEROUS.

If, you read the rules, you will find that it is legal to make a right hand turn from the left lane. LEGAL IS NOT ALWAYS SANE.

Use of turn signals. WOW. It is rare to see any of you use turn signals. I've seen people turn on turn signals after they have already changed lanes-HUH?

The OP-I of course did not see it BUT, if I understand what you did there was a car in the left lane of the round about and you decided to enter the round about entering in the right lane. YOU ARE WRONG. IT IS SIMPLY NOT A SAFE ACTION. You likely had your car go into the left lane as you made your turn. IF, you did not the driver in the left lane SHOULD have assumed there was a good chance you would cross into his lane.

IMHO you are incorrect on this.... it's NOT the roundabouts that are dangerous.... it's the DRIVERS!

[zonerboy]

Do not worry so much about what is "legal" or "illegal". Or about who has the "right of way". Just follow the safest course: yield to vehicles already in the round about, no matter which lane they are in. That way you won't get in an accident and won't have to worry about legalities. Driving this way would only cost you 5 to 10 seconds.
I agree with Polar Bear.

[DARFAP]

Originally Posted by golfing eagles

Doesn't matter if the other driver intended to cut across both lanes (your assumption) or not. You should not enter a RB when a car is coming in EITHER lane. How is the other driver to know whether YOU intend to make an immediate right or are going to go across 180 degrees and cut right in front of him? Cars entering the RB when another car is coming (in either lane), as well as riding along side another vehicle in a RB, is probably the #1 cause of RB accidents.

Agree. They most likely honk because they are trying to exit at the same one you are. Use turn signals to signal your exit.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

[pqrstar]

Originally Posted by aninjamom

I should add that I turn carefully, and ahead of them. I'm not cutting in front of them, they are in the OTHER lane! The only reason I can imagine them honking is because they wanted to cut over.

When entering a round-a-bout you must YIELD to BOTH LANES in the roundabout


If you are entering when another car is coming around the inside lane to exit the next exit past your entrance, that car DOES NOT KNOW that you plan to exit that same exit or whether you plan to continue around.

please do not try to rush in front of them, even if you THINK you will not be interfering with their exit.

Again, they probably would not be able to MIND READ your intent and have to brake inside the circle until they see where you actually PLAN to exit.

[autumnspring]

Originally Posted by Miles42

All I can say is be careful as there are a lot of people that think it is ok to make a right hand turn from the left lane. You cant fix stupid.

As I said in a previous post, it is in fact legal, in the round about to make a right hand turn from the left hand lane.

I think we agree that legal does not make it smart.

You perhaps can't fix stupid but you can refuse to add to it.

I for example refuse to drive alongside anyone. To avoid that might require speeding up, slowing down, or changing lanes. YOU SHOULD ALWAYS KNOW YOUR WAY OUT IF YOU NEED TO AVOID STUPID AND NEXT TO ANOTHER CAR YOU ARE BOXED IN..

As I read some of these replies I am reminded of the scene from the movie,"Those Magnificent Men and Their Flying Machines." In one scene one of the racers is reading a manual on how to fly while he is flying.

Clearly, it is unsafe to assume drivers around you, know how to drive, are paying attention.

[Flatlander]

Driving in roundabouts can be confusing, especially if you don't encounter then often. Traffic movement in all of the roundabouts that I've encountered in The Villages are controlled by "Official Traffic Control Devices", which include signs posted at the approach and lane markings. If you are involved in a collision in a roundabout you may be issued a citation if you did not follow those directions. What you think is OK is irrelevant in both guilt, if you receive a citation, and liability, if you are involved in a crash.

Despite postings here to the contrary, it is legal and acceptable to make a right turn from the center lane of a roundabout as long as you have traveled at least half way around the roundabout, of if posted signs permit such movement. However, you must turn into the inside lane of the roadway you are entering.

It is also lawful and acceptable to enter the outside lane of a roundabout while a vehicle is approaching in the inside lane, and would not be in conflict with any lawful turn they may make if you are going to exit at the first exit. It unlawful to change lanes in a roundabout even if you are exiting.

Remember that the movement of traffic in the roundabout is controlled by the Official Traffic Control Devices (signs and lane markings) posted.

Lots of people are involved in traffic accidents who did what they thought should be correct, only to find out in court that they weren't. You could be one of those if you choose to make up your own interpretation of whats acceptable instead of following the established laws.

If you have any doubt about what is acceptable you should review the previously linked brochure and/or look at the posted signs at the roundabout approach.

[rjm1cc]

They are very dangerous so everyone has to be very careful.

[golfing eagles]

Originally Posted by Flatlander

Driving in roundabouts can be confusing, especially if you don't encounter then often. Traffic movement in all of the roundabouts that I've encountered in The Villages are controlled by "Official Traffic Control Devices", which include signs posted at the approach and lane markings. If you are involved in a collision in a roundabout you may be issued a citation if you did not follow those directions. What you think is OK is irrelevant in both guilt, if you receive a citation, and liability, if you are involved in a crash.

Despite postings here to the contrary, it is legal and acceptable to make a right turn from the center lane of a roundabout as long as you have traveled at least half way around the roundabout, of if posted signs permit such movement. However, you must turn into the inside lane of the roadway you are entering.

It is also lawful and acceptable to enter the outside lane of a roundabout while a vehicle is approaching in the inside lane, and would not be in conflict with any lawful turn they may make if you are going to exit at the first exit. It is not illegal to change lanes in a roundabout even if you are exiting.

Remember that the movement of traffic in the roundabout is controlled by the Official Traffic Control Devices (signs and lane markings) posted.

Lots of people are involved in traffic accidents who did what they thought should be correct, only to find out in court that they weren't. You could be one of those if you choose to make up your own interpretation of whats acceptable instead of following the established laws.

If you have any doubt about what is acceptable you should review the previously linked brochure and/or look at the posted signs at the roundabout approach.

Disagree. Certainly, it is NOT acceptable.

As far as lawful, from the Sumter County Commissioners----"Approaching Roundabouts • Reduce your speed and prepare to YIELD to ALL traffic in the roundabout. • Guide signs provide guidance for approach street locations, not lane use orientation

Repeat--ALL traffic, not just traffic in the lane you plan on entering

[Polar Bear]

Flatlander's post has some very good stuff in it. But with all due respect, there are a couple of instances of bad/wrong info too...

Originally Posted by Flatlander

...It is also lawful and acceptable to enter the outside lane of a roundabout while a vehicle is approaching in the inside lane...

Legal or not, it is totally unacceptable to enter the roundabout when another vehicle is approaching in either lane. Most basic rule of roundabout driving...when approaching the roundabout, yield to both lanes of traffic within the roundabout.

Originally Posted by Flatlander

...It is not illegal to change lanes in a roundabout...

Again, legal or not...HIGHLY inadvisable.

Both of these examples are supported by the brochure on districtgov.org website...

https://www.districtgov.org/communit...t-02-08-12.pdf

[rubicon]

Originally Posted by aninjamom

I am seeking wisdom from the pundits on here:
Twice I have turned into a clear RIGHT-hand lane in a round-about, intending to turn right again out of it, and been honked at by someone coming around in the LEFT-hand lane. Apparently they were one of those people that like to cut straight across both lanes in the round-about, and got upset because I got in their way. I am aware that a car in the round-about has right of way, but I don't think cutting across lanes is legal or acceptable. Am I right?

aninjamom:

round a bouts you got to love them....and I do save time and reduce traffic.

If I understand your dilemma the operative words are "people that like to cut straight across both lanes" meaning they were trying to change lanes in midstream (ie get to the right lane to exit.) If my assumption is correct then you are right.

round abouts require a yield (caution) only and a complete stop if the lanes in that round about are loaded and vehicles approaching . if a driver entering intend just a short jaunt s/he usually stay in the right hand lane. However if a driver intends to go the 270 then they use either the right or left lane and as they exit they use their right hand signal..

Personal Best Regards

[baustgen]

Please note the broken white line that allows cars to cross as they come around the roundabout from the inside lane. You should wait until both lanes are clear in the roundabout before entering.