[blueash]

I know, another rotary question. This is Stillwater and Canal. Imagine one driver coming east from Buena Vista and wanting to go 270 degrees to enter LSL. That driver correctly places himself on the inner lane. A second driver is on Canal going north also intending to go to LSL and this is 180 thru the circle and is in the outside lane along side the driver who entered from Stillwater. Suddenly these drivers, both of whom are where they belong and neither overtaking the other have a road marking appear forcing a merge. There does not seem to be any need for this removal of a driving lane and it can not be seen until it is upon you. The signage on Stillwater is the typical notice for a 270 driver to take the inside lane, stay in it until leaving the rotary. I am aware of at least one accident where both drivers felt they had the right of way and the police given the situation were unable to assess fault. On the overhead photo LSL is at the top. On the street level shot the car has decided to straddle the merger.

[Polar Bear]

I don't claim to know all the legalities involved, but imo this brings up a couple of the most important rules of roundabout driving:

1) Don't drive alongside another car. Ever. And, very closely related...

2) Yield to BOTH lanes of the roundabout when entering. If a car is approaching on the inside lane, you should wait for that car to pass even if you plan to stay in the outside lane.

There is no problem if these rules are followed.

[golfing eagles]

Originally Posted by Polar Bear

I don't claim to know all the legalities involved, but imo this brings up a couple of the most important rules of roundabout driving:

1) Don't drive alongside another car. Ever. And, very closely related...

2) Yield to BOTH lanes of the roundabout when entering. If a car is approaching on the inside lane, you should wait for that car to pass even if you plan to stay in the outside lane.

There is no problem if these rules are followed.

Thank you, thank you, thank you
People do not seem to realize that upon entering a RB you must yield to BOTH lanes. How often do you see some bozo enter the right lane, and then act indignant as the car in the left lane, who was proceeding 270 around, heads to the gate while the lane usurper tries to go straight?

[dewilson58]

Originally Posted by golfing eagles

Thank you, thank you, thank you
People do not seem to realize that upon entering a RB you must yield to BOTH lanes. How often do you see some bozo enter the right lane, and then act indignant as the car in the left lane, who was proceeding 270 around, heads to the gate while the lane usurper tries to go straight?

I forgot to take off my clown suit that day.........I really stick out.

[NYGUY]

Originally Posted by Polar Bear

I don't claim to know all the legalities involved, but imo this brings up a couple of the most important rules of roundabout driving:

1) Don't drive alongside another car. Ever. And, very closely related...

2) Yield to BOTH lanes of the roundabout when entering. If a car is approaching on the inside lane, you should wait for that car to pass even if you plan to stay in the outside lane.

There is no problem if these rules are followed.

You are absolutely right Bear....thanks for reminding people!!

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by Polar Bear

I don't claim to know all the legalities involved, but imo this brings up a couple of the most important rules of roundabout driving:

1) Don't drive alongside another car. Ever. And, very closely related...

2) Yield to BOTH lanes of the roundabout when entering. If a car is approaching on the inside lane, you should wait for that car to pass even if you plan to stay in the outside lane.

There is no problem if these rules are followed.

You are absolutely correct.......there is no other answer!

[kittygilchrist]

Originally Posted by blueash

I know, another rotary question. This is Stillwater and Canal. Imagine one driver coming east from Buena Vista and wanting to go 270 degrees to enter LSL. That driver correctly places himself on the inner lane. A second driver is on Canal going north also intending to go to LSL and this is 180 thru the circle and is in the outside lane along side the driver who entered from Stillwater. Suddenly these drivers, both of whom are where they belong and neither overtaking the other have a road marking appear forcing a merge. There does not seem to be any need for this removal of a driving lane and it can not be seen until it is upon you. The signage on Stillwater is the typical notice for a 270 driver to take the inside lane, stay in it until leaving the rotary. I am aware of at least one accident where both drivers felt they had the right of way and the police given the situation were unable to assess fault. On the overhead photo LSL is at the top. On the street level shot the car has decided to straddle the merger.

You take the prize for a great post, blueash. Well done.

I am going to back this up with DOT resource..
First, a car already in a lane has priority over anyone trying to enter. Imo whoever is ahead in your example has right of way.
Secondly, it is often said you cannot change lanes in Roundabout, but I do not see that specified in law.
Third, to me yielding means not getting in the way, it does not mean never enter when any car is in the rab. After all, their purpose is to facilitate traffic flow.

Quote from http://www.dot.state.fl.us/trafficop...bout_guide.pdf

Vehicles entering a roundabout on all approaches are required to yield to vehicles within the circulating roadway. Traffic circles sometimes employ stop or signal control or give priority to entering vehicles.
The circulating vehicles are not subjected to any other right of way conflicts and weaving is kept to a minimum. This provides the means by which the priority is distributed and alternated among vehicles. A vehicle entering as a subordinate vehicle immediately becomes a priority vehicle until it exits the roundabout. Some traffic circles impose control measures within the circulating roadway, or are designed with weaving areas to resolve conflicts between movements.

[virgind]

In traffic circles everyone has the right of way and no one has the right of way. Found this out in Mass. 1999. If you have an accident both parties take care of their own cars. Best thing to do is drive like hell to through the circle before the other guy.(Just kidding) And I have never been back to Mass. Cape cod .

[CFrance]

Originally Posted by Polar Bear

I don't claim to know all the legalities involved, but imo this brings up a couple of the most important rules of roundabout driving:

1) Don't drive alongside another car. Ever. And, very closely related...

2) Yield to BOTH lanes of the roundabout when entering. If a car is approaching on the inside lane, you should wait for that car to pass even if you plan to stay in the outside lane.

There is no problem if these rules are followed.

Bravo, Polar Bear.

[Mikeod]

Just an FYI. The reason for the change to one lane in that and other roundabouts is because you are entering a single lane road. There are others, such as on Morse when going to the county annex buildings, on Buena Vista heading toward Turtle Mound, on BV going onto Bonita.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

Originally Posted by Mikeod

Just an FYI. The reason for the change to one lane in that and other roundabouts is because you are entering a single lane road. There are others, such as on Morse when going to the county annex buildings, on Buena Vista heading toward Turtle Mound, on BV going onto Bonita.

Exactly. It's simply a merge. We have them all the time on straight roads. There is usually a sign that says MERGE AHEAD. On the round abouts, there are no signs, but this should be treated any differently than if you were in a straight road with a merge sign.

[GaryW]

If you follow the road markings, and what the signs tell you,, you will have no issue.
Most of the accidents or frustrations at the circles are from not paying attention to where one is going. People get in the out side land and assume they have right of way all the way around the circle.
See everyday. I watched a lady go around the circle at Morse and Pinellas by the Fire Station 3 Times the other day. She ended up going back in the Pinellas Gate from where she had come to begin with.

[billethkid]

However I do believe too many use the when in doubt method.
Drive straight ahead....do not look left or right....just keep going unless........

It must be because I see it every single day!

[alzjr]

Round about for dummy's --- 101
1 - Slow to 20 MPH or less before reteaching the entrance
2 - Yield to ALL traffic already in the round about
3 - Never change lanes once in the round about
4 - Do not stop once in the round about

[Rapscallion St Croix]

Originally Posted by alzjr

Round about for dummy's --- 101
1 - Slow to 20 MPH or less before reteaching the entrance
2 - Yield to ALL traffic already in the round about
3 - Never change lanes once in the round about
4 - Do not stop once in the round about

5. Drive the biggest vehicle