[VApeople]

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?

You are definitely wrong.

Cars in the left lane are allowed to turn right, especially if they are going 3/4 of the way around the roundabout. I do it all the time.

If a car is in the roundabout, you should not pull into the roundabout. or if you do pull out, you must give him the right-of-way so that he can turn right if he wants to.

[Flatlander]

Polar Bear is correct in that it is unlawful to change lanes in a roundabout. Typo on my part, now corrected. As for entering the roundabout in the outside lane, the same rules apply as if you were entering a multi-lane highway. You may enter in the lane closest to the curb or outside of the highway if it is unoccupied, even if the other lanes are occupied. To say otherwise negates the value of multi-lane roads.

In a roundabout, if you are in the inside lane you must stay in your lane, even to exit, which is identified by the short broken white lines on the roadway. If you choose to exit at the junction, that is you lane and you must stay in your lane, not cut over into the outside lane. If you do choose to move into the outside lane and hit another vehicle in the process, you are liable and will likely be cited by the police. If everyone followed the codified laws, instead of what they think is or should be OK then there would be fewer accidents.

[Bogie Shooter]

Of all the many comments about roundabouts being dangerous, I disagree with this conclusion.
There are far more accidents at the intersections along CR466 & CR466A then in all the roundabouts combined.

BTW I am betting this thread reaches 50 posts................

[golfing eagles]

Originally Posted by Flatlander

Polar Bear is correct in that it is unlawful to change lanes in a roundabout. Typo on my part, now corrected. As for entering the roundabout in the outside lane, the same rules apply as if you were entering a multi-lane highway. You may enter in the lane closest to the curb or outside of the highway if it is unoccupied, even if the other lanes are occupied. To say otherwise negates the value of multi-lane roads.

If everyone followed the codified laws, instead of what they think is or should be OK then there would be fewer accidents.

No, sorry, still disagree. They are NOT the same thing.

From the Florida DMV handbook, page 42:

TWO-WAY STREET ONTO A TWO-WAY STREET Begin the turn with your left wheels as close as possible to the yellow dividing line. Enter the road to the right of its center line. If the road onto which you are turning is a four-lane road, you may enter it in the right lane if the right lane is free of traffic.

So yes, you can turn into the nearest lane if free on a multilane road. However, same handbook, next page dealing with RBs:

Approaching the roundabout: • Slow down before entering the roundabout. • For multi-lane roundabouts, observe roadside signs and pavement markings to direct you into the correct lane. • Look to your left as you drive towards the entrance, yield to traffic already in the roundabout, bicyclists, and pedestrians in the crosswalk • Enter when there is a gap in traffic and merge with the other flow of vehicles. • NEVER make a left turn to enter a roundabout.

YIELD to traffic already in the RB, NOT just traffic in the lane you wish to enter

But I agree with your post, #25, where YOU stated:

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 what’s acceptable instead of following the established laws.

[perrjojo]

I will add one more point to add confusion. When exiting 3/4 way around you do exit from the inside lane. I see most people exit from the left and then crossover to the residents gate lane. When there are two lanes entering the gate area you should stay in the inside lane and that causes you to enter at the visitors gate.

[golfing eagles]

Originally Posted by perrjojo

I will add one more point to add confusion. When exiting 3/4 way around you do exit from the inside lane. I see most people exit from the left and then crossover to the residents gate lane. When there are two lanes entering the gate area you should stay in the inside lane and that causes you to enter at the visitors gate.

Depends on whether anyone else is coming. If it is clear, there is plenty of room to change to the resident gate AFTER exiting the RB. (Unless you exit at 50 mph)

[Miles42]

WSDOT - How to drive a roundabout

[villagetinker]

Originally Posted by perrjojo

I will add one more point to add confusion. When exiting 3/4 way around you do exit from the inside lane. I see most people exit from the left and then crossover to the residents gate lane. When there are two lanes entering the gate area you should stay in the inside lane and that causes you to enter at the visitors gate.

I just go in the visitors gate, no big deal. I have actually thought about writing up a comment that the "visitor" gates should be marked VISITOR OR RESIDENT, and the other gate RESIDENT ONLY. I have to go 3/4 around one or more roundabouts several times a week. I make sure the lanes are clear before I enter, and I ALWAYS USE TURN SIGNALS when getting ready to exit. I also make eye contact when I see a car getting ready to enter, make sure by my signals they know my intent.

[golfing eagles]

Originally Posted by Miles42

WSDOT - How to drive a roundabout

which states, in part:

"At the dashed yield line, look to your left and yield to drivers already in the roundabout. Remember, in a multi-lane roundabout, you must yield to both lanes of traffic."


Of course, we're not in the state of Washington, but their rule is stated much more clearly.

[justjim]

Originally Posted by Bogie Shooter

Of all the many comments about roundabouts being dangerous, I disagree with this conclusion.
There are far more accidents at the intersections along CR466 & CR466A then in all the roundabouts combined.

BTW I am betting this thread reaches 50 posts................

Bogie, you are spot on---roundabouts are proven to be safer.

[golfing eagles]

Originally Posted by justjim

Bogie, you are spot on---roundabouts are proven to be safer.

Of course they're safer---First of all, the speed limit is 20 mph, not 45 like 466. Secondly, it is REAL hard to T-bone someone at a 90 degree angle in a circle, most accidents will be a glancing blow. But not every intersection lends itself to a RB, and in the end, it is not poor intersection design, but poor drivers that cause accidents.

[Flatlander]

First, Drivers Training Manuals, KDOT Manuals and other training material are not the law. They are generally correct but can't be used in court as evidence of what the law says. For that you will have to look at the published Florida Statutes. Show up in court waving one of the mentioned training booklets and the judge will inform you that they are not the law.

The term "yield" is short for yield the right of way. You don't have to yield to traffic which does not enjoy the right of way over the your intended route of travel.

If you are entering a roundabout from the left or inside lane, you must enter the inside lane of the roundabout. In that instance you must yield to all cars approaching you in the roundabout in both lanes.

If you are entering the roundabout from the right or outside lane you must enter the outside lane of the roundabout and you only have to yield the right of way to those vehicle which have the right of way over you. That does not include vehicles in the inside lane. They are obligated to stay in the inside lane until they exit so have no right of way over you.

Again, you should note the signs at the approach to the roundabout that direct the flow of traffic as not all roundabouts are the same.

Let them blow their horns, wave with one finger, yell out the window or type in bold type. That does not make their beliefs correct. You can just ignore them and continue on your lawful travels knowing that you have done nothing wrong.

Safe travels!

[perrjojo]

Here is what I have learned reading round about threads. Many people have different ideas about how it works. Many people don't have a clue how it works. Some people don't care how it works. Some people are right and some people are wrong. My take away is .. enter with caution and be prepared for anything another driver might do. Btw, I like the roundabouts and think they are a safe and efficient way to move traffic.

[Polar Bear]

Originally Posted by Flatlander

...If you are entering the roundabout from the right or outside lane you must enter the outside lane of the roundabout and you only have to yield the right of way to those vehicle which have the right of way over you. That does not include vehicles in the inside lane. They are obligated to stay in the inside lane until they exit so have no right of way over you.

Why would you want to trust any driver so much?

Here's a link to a roundabout document for the State of Washington. I know...I know...it's not Florida. Do me a favor and just read it. And look at the graphics. The roundabouts are identical to TV roundabouts. And then tell me if you find anything in Florida law which conflicts with this information, especially the part that says "Remember, in a multi-lane roundabout, you must yield to both lanes of traffic." I don't think you will.

WSDOT - How to drive a roundabout

[Mikeod]

Please people. It doesn't matter what they do in WA, KS, or Timbuktu, the Sumter and Marion county sheriffs have agreed on the proper way to navigate these roundabouts. You enter in the left/inside lane if you intend to go straight through or continue to the third exit. You enter in the right/outside lane if you intend to go straight through or take the first exit to your right. And you don't change lanes within the roundabout.

You never enter a roundabout with traffic to your left in either lane. Period. And the traffic control sign at the entrance says "Yield", not race in front of any car coming around.

All the problems drivers have with others in roundabouts occur for only two reasons. Either the first driver isn't following those guidelines or the other one isn't. Too many people think they "know" how to drive them and they are wrong most of the time.