[iaudit]

Originally Posted by ukgolfer

what is it with drivers in the villages......roundabouts are everywhere in the uk, we seem to cope well with them.......everytime I visit and drive in the villages its crazy.....(funny) but dangerous, because I use them all of the time back home the driving I see around these things is just amazing, I'm sure my 4 year old daughter could do better !!.....the correct way of driving around roundabouts will never work in the villages....(too many bad drivers), just adopt the following 1: Give way to cars to your left 2: Stay in the outside lane! 3: Keep your eyes open, fingers crossed and expect the worse!

Wrong, Wrong, Wrong - Do not stay in the outside lane if making a left turn. What if the the driver in the left lane is going straight, you will hit them. If you stop in the middle of the circle to let them go through, someone will probably run into you from behind.

[coffeebean]

Originally Posted by iaudit

When going south on Morse at the Caroline gate circle, if you are continuing south on Morse, you may go in the right or left lane. If turning right onto Stillwater, use the right lane. If going in the Caroline gate, use the left lane and after going half way aroung the circle, cross over into the right lane to exit at the Caroline resident gate (of course you always have to watch for the uninformed who go completely around the circle in the right lane illegally). I always think of the two lane circles as approaching a stop sign intersection. If I was making a left hand turn, I would NEVER make it from the right lane. A circle intersection is no different.

Changing lanes inside the roundabout is legal??? I didn't realize that. I thought motorists are not to change lanes while in the roundabout. I need to read the roundabout pamphlet AGAIN!!!

[iaudit]

Originally Posted by coffeebean

Changing lanes inside the roundabout is legal??? I didn't realize that. I thought motorists are not to change lanes while in the roundabout. I need to read the roundabout pamphlet AGAIN!!!

Unless you want to be like Clark Griswold in European Vacation, you have to change lanes somewhere to get out of the left lane.

[zcaveman]

Originally Posted by iaudit

Unless you want to be like Clark Griswold in European Vacation, you have to change lanes somewhere to get out of the left lane.

According to the "rules" if you are going three quarters of the way around the circle you can right turn out of the circle from the left lane. Believe it or not!

[djplong]

Originally Posted by memason

I agree with one exception:

Red = Stop
Green = Go
Roundabout = always Go

Fact is, roundabouts make traffic flow smoother. Even with all the problems discussed in the many threads, on this topic, I suspect no one would want the roundabouts removed for traffic signals.

Just my thought....

You can't always "Go" at a rotary. Here in Massachusetts, there's a STATE PRISON on the corner of one particular rotary on Route 2. Too much traffic.

...and that's the main problem with rotaries. They are fine for RURAL areas. But if you have problems with people changing lanes, having trouble entering/exiting - then, by definition, you have exceeded the safe and efficient capacity for a rotary.

...and if it's a problem only at rush-hour times, here in NH we have a solution for that.

We have traffic lights that just flash during non-peak times but operate normally during peak times. That way, you're not idling needlessly at an intersection.

Oh, and we have all our traffic lights using trip wires embedded in the pavement so that lights only cycle when traffic is actually *there*.

Massachusetts has spent millions getting rid of problem rotaries and the two big ones that I can remember (MA-2/MA-16 near Arlington and 'the rotary' before the Sagamore bridge leading to Cape Cod) are FAR better than they used to be.

[billethkid]

"But if you have problems with people changing lanes, having trouble entering/exiting - then, by definition, you have exceeded the safe and efficient capacity for a rotary."

I disagree with the above as it applies to TV (or any where else) where the residents are NOT using the round about properly. You could have two drivers doing the wrong thing in a round about and exceed the capacity per the presented definition.

The problem is not the round abouts or the concept. It is the over whelming abuse by the drivers of the intention. Some don't know...some use them correctly....and way too many just don't care and do what they please.....just like the guy who hit me in one.

They should offer a safe driving in TV course for all residents....just offer a free lunch and the place will be over subscribed....continuosly

btk

[The Great Fumar]

Originally Posted by downeaster

A friend who I will call "X" was pulled over by a deputy after exiting the roundabout at Buena Vista and El Camino Real. X was traveling south on Buena Vista in the right lane and entered the roundabout in that lane and continued in that lane for 270 degrees exiting onto El Camino Real. The deputy told X that was a violation of the rules of negotiating a roundabout. A verbal warning was given.

Now here is where it gets scary. X admits to having the brochure on roundabout driving and even understanding it. However, X says it is a "stupid" rule and will continue to drive in the right lane regardless of the exit point.

Not only must we deal with those who are ignorant of the rules but we must also deal with all of those who think the rules are stupid and may be ignored.

X will have a fender bender some day. Fortunately, two vehicles travelling in the same direction at a speed of less than 20 MPH will probably cause no personal injuries. However it will be a moving violation and points will be assessed, fines will be levied, and insurance premiums will go up or a policy may be cancelled.

Sorry , but I'm not buying any of this....I was told by a Deputy that they don't monitor the roundabouts as they are non standard and much to small for traffic to navigate,, ..standard circles are much larger (4 times) and some have only one lane ....which is what should be the case here......It would solve a multitude of problems......
(As in Dances with Wolves, that Is all I have to say!!! )

Fumar ..

[Barefoot]

Quote:
Originally Posted by coffeebean
Changing lanes inside the roundabout is legal??? I didn't realize that. I thought motorists are not to change lanes while in the roundabout. I need to read the roundabout pamphlet AGAIN!!!

Reply from iaudit

Unless you want to be like Clark Griswold in European Vacation, you have to change lanes somewhere to get out of the left lane.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hilarious.

[mrdills]

Here is a suggestion, EVERYONE just read the pamphlet and we won't have any question or problems and this subject will be put to bed, then maybe be can go on enjoying the life in the Villages.

[Donna2]

Originally Posted by mrdills

Here is a suggestion, EVERYONE just read the pamphlet and we won't have any question or problems and this subject will be put to bed, then maybe be can go on enjoying the life in the Villages.

Is reading the pamphlet similar to reading manuals that come with most products that have working parts? Have fun with that. haha

[Xavier]

Click here for the infamous Round-about Brochure

[ukgolfer]

Originally Posted by iaudit

Wrong, Wrong, Wrong - Do not stay in the outside lane if making a left turn. What if the the driver in the left lane is going straight, you will hit them. If you stop in the middle of the circle to let them go through, someone will probably run into you from behind.

I know how to use a roundabout, as I said we all have them in the uk and its easy when everybody KNOWS how to use them, unlike in the Villages where most people dont drive around them in the correct lane, I dont trust any driver on the roundabouts so the best way to drive is by using defensive driving = dont trust anybody and expect he unexpected!!

[coffeebean]

Originally Posted by Barefoot

Quote:
Originally Posted by coffeebean
Changing lanes inside the roundabout is legal??? I didn't realize that. I thought motorists are not to change lanes while in the roundabout. I need to read the roundabout pamphlet AGAIN!!!

Reply from iaudit

Unless you want to be like Clark Griswold in European Vacation, you have to change lanes somewhere to get out of the left lane.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hilarious.

My impression for use of the left lane is to enter the roundabout from the left lane on the main roadway, travel in the inside lane (left lane) in the roundabout and exit at the third exit (left turn) or the 4th exit (U turn). There is no changing lanes involved.

[downeaster]

Originally Posted by The Great Fumar

Sorry , but I'm not buying any of this....I was told by a Deputy that they don't monitor the roundabouts as they are non standard and much to small for traffic to navigate,, ..standard circles are much larger (4 times) and some have only one lane ....which is what should be the case here......It would solve a multitude of problems......
(As in Dances with Wolves, that Is all I have to say!!! )

Fumar ..

I guess you are accusing me of fabricating this event. Believe me I am not. I happened to be following the deputy that pulled X over. X later related the whole incident to my wife. I did not say the deputy was monitoring the roundabout.

I do not appreciate the tone of your post. However, I guess you are in good stead with the admins so you can go unchallenged.

[golfnut]