Ed, there are near misses everywhere, stop signs, red light runners, etc. The roundabouts are no different....its all up to the one behind the wheel.
I say keep'um, better than any altenative.

Instructional Video for Driving in Roundabouts...
 

By the way... I drive an Audi . . . :clap2:

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IyaM_2w3jMI&feature=related[/ame]

looks a little like chicopee falls......

Roundabout safety is an oxymoron.

It is definetly the nut at the end of the steering wheel.

Makes one wonder where or why retired people have to be to go as fast as they do here in TV (or any where else).

btk

I hear what you're saying, but don't forget that not everyone who drives in and around TV are retired or even residents of TV. Your "nut at the end of the steering wheel" can come in a choice of domestic, imported and even commercial types!

I've only lived here a year and a half so far, but it seems to me that the problem with the roundabouts is that if you're in the inside lane, you almost always have to cross the outside lane to get to an exit. I understand the business about choosing lanes according to where you're going to exit, but if you're going "straight through" in the outside lane and the guy who is in the inside lane is going straight through - but he got into the roundabout one entrance before you did, so he's getting off one exit before you - then he's going to cross in front of you - or into you - and you'll both think you were doing the right thing. If you're in a roundabout, you have the right of way over entering traffic. If you're in a particular lane (in a roundabout or otherwise), you have the right of way over another vehicle entering that lane (and by the way, entering a roundabout's left lane from the entrance's left lane means you cross the outside lane of the roundabout...). Still further, if a vehicle is in a lane in a roundabout, it can stay there all day long and go around and around and retain the right of way unless and until it changes lanes. So from a practical perspective, it seems to me that the vehicle in the outside lane usually has the right of way. People in the inside lane must assume that the vehicle in the outside lane is NOT getting off at the same exit as they are and yield to that vehicle.

I do use the inside lane for going to the third exit - and sometimes even to the second exit - but I'm acutely aware of the traffic in the outside lane that may be going to a different exit beyond mine.

When I'm in the outside lane in a roundabout, I'm always looking over my left shoulder for that person who thinks he has the right of way to cross in front of me just because he thinks he's on the "main" road.

The other thing I've seen mentioned here is signalling one's intentions. I thought cars sold in Florida didn't have turn signals because no one would use them anyway. Where I came from, you are obliged by law to signal your intentions when changing lanes or making turns. That is, your intentions - it doesn't work if you only start to signal while you maneuver and it certainly doesn't work if you don't do it at all. It seems especially important to use them in roundabouts - but it's a requirement of the vehicle and traffic law no matter where you're driving - even if you have a turning lane and/or a green arrow - or if you're selecting the bypass lane for a roundabout.

And as long as I'm on a soapbox, another irritating thing I see frequently is people's apparent lack of understanding about "right turn on red" situations. Many people seem to overlook the stop portion of that maneuver. Full stop, that is, not just a hesitation. Just because they didn't see anyone coming doesn't absolve them of the requirement to come to a full stop (meaning no forward motion) before turning.

All right, the last thing is people who turn left from the inside lane into the outside lane of the intersecting street (and probably doing it without signalling too...). You're obliged to turn into the corresponding adjacent lane. If you're in the inside lane before the intersection, you should be in the inside lane after turning through the intersection. If you have to be in the outside lane after turning from the inside lane, then after you've made the turn at the intersection into the adjacent lane, signal for the lane change and yield to traffic in that lane before you change into it.

This stuff isn't rocket science... most of if is just understanding and obeying the existing traffic laws.

I guess I should change my login name to "Mr. Pompous-Know-It-All-Who-Does-He-Think-He-Is-Anyway", shouldn't I?

Yes. In answer to your question.
A new thread would be good, that way there could be and additional 50 plus opinions stated. LOL. However, the roundabouts are here to stay, the idiots will be driving in them,so go slow and enjoy the day.

Gil, please clarify inside/outside. Is "inside" left lane and "outside" right lane?

This is not correct. A person entering the roundabout in the outer lane must either take the first (a "right" turn) or second exit (go straight on the original road). To proceed beyond the second exit puts him in violation of the roundabout rules. People who do this have been the cause of every one of my near misses in roundabouts.

Looks pretty simple to me.
http://www.districtgov.org/PdfView/PdfView.aspx?path='/PdfUpload/RoundaboutBrochure[/url] - FINAL070908.pdf'&ql=standard

This thread is loaded with misinformation. A lot of people seem to have their own version of the rules. Using terms like "inside" and "outside" in reference to lanes is also confusing.

To clear up any confusion look back to Bogie Shooter's post (#51) and go to the site he references. Or stop by the Sheriff's location on CR466 and pick up a copy of the brochure.

In fact, l2ridehd's post (#2) summarizes the rules very clearly.

You are right. This thread and the other 4-5 threads on this subject are filled with "i think", "IMHO" and only a few address the published rules in the handbook. In fact if everyone followed the rules............

I don't think that using "inside" or "outside" is ambiguous. However, there seems to be a continuing notion that people in the right/outside lanes have the right to continue going around the circle to exit at any point that they wish. I just narrowly avoided such a person 20 minutes ago. If this notion could be quashed, navigating the circles would be a piece of cake.

How did he get so close to you or how did you get so close to him?

The same way that most of these close calls occur: We were both going south on BV. He entered the circle a little ahead of me in the right lane. I entered behind him in the left lane and intended to go straight. Rather than turn right or go straight, he continued around the circle thus cutting in front of my path. Fortunately, I've seen enough of this to be ready to hit the brakes as he cut in front of me.

I don't see what the problem was unless you were on the inside lane and attempted to exit from the inside lane. I usually stay in the outside lane and are especially careful of those who want exit from the inside lane where you can get cut off.

John

If you look at the proscribed traffic flow, when you enter the circle from the left lane, you are supposed to go into the inside lane of the circle. Once there, you are supposed to stay on the inside until you exit - thus causing you to cross the "outer" lane. This is not a problem as long as those in the right lane do as they are supposed to do - either turn right at the first exit or go straight by taking the second exit. The problem occurs when the person in the right lane wants to continue around the circle thus interfering with ability of the those in the inner lane to exit.

Here is where it can be confusing. Driving on BV the right lane is the "inside" lane and left lane is the "outside" lane. As soon as you enter a roundabout the right lane is often considered the "outside" lane and left lane the "inside" lane.
My point is, some of us don't know in from out but most of us know right from left.

OK, now I think I see the confusion. My point of reference for the inside/outside was and is the circle in which case there is no ambiguity about the inside versus outside of a circle.

bump

If you stay in the outside lane and exit at the third opportunity....you are cutting off those who exiting at the second exit. This assumes you both enter the roundabout at the same point. If you enter in the outside lane and stay there to the third exit.....you are an accident waiting to happen.

Face it, two lane roundabouts are a stupid idea to begin with. And with over twenty of them in a relatively small geographic area populated by tens of thousands of senior drivers with diminished driving skills and reaction times, it borders on ridiculous.

If you really want to fix the problem you should ban together to approach your county reps to get these “killer” roundabouts rebuilt. Barriers could be placed so that the right lane can only be used for a right turn and traffic could proceed in that lane without having to even stop. The left lane would be used for all other exits and would be a single lane only.

The mouths of the exits would need to be widened some to allow tractor trailers to negotiate the roundabouts, but there is already enough landscaping in these roundabouts to accommodate this as far as I can see.

I don’t believe that this change would result in more congestion at the roundabouts. After all, the way it is now, you must wait funtil both lanes are free of any traffic before you can enter the roundabout, even if you are just making a right turn.

Our summer home is in the roundabout capitol of the world, Hamilton County, Indiana. It's just north of Indianapolis and is where all the suburbs are. I think the town of Carmel, which is beside our town, claims to be the actual capitol but there are roundabouts throughout the county there. I think they're great but they do throw people who have never seen one off the first couple times they drive through one. I also never enter a roundabout when there is a car coming my way even when it's on the inside lane. The right lane can be confusing on some because it sometimes makes you turn when you want to continue on the roundabout to the next street.

Or, a much cheaper solution would be to use the police patrols that are used to give tickets to golf carts that are going a couple of MPH too fast and have them instead give tickets to those who improperly use the roundabouts. I suspect that most of the problem is not diminished reflexes but the "I'll do it the way I want because it makes sense to me" mentality of the drivers. If they received a ticket or a warning about their error, they may start to obey the guidelines and the problem would be solved.

Don't quite understand your rationale. lf i am in the outside lane how am I cutting off anyone wanting to exit unless they try to exit from the inside lane. Either there in front of me in the outside lane or in back of me.

John

I give up!:wave:

The point is that they are supposed to exit from the inside lane if they entered the inside lane to begin with. Once you are in the roundabout you are not supposed to change lanes - hence the only way to exit if you are in the inner/left lane is to cross over the outer lane at the exit. This should never be a problem if those who are in the outer/right lane followed the rules. It is people who enter the outside lane and then fail to exit at one of the first two exits that are in violation and are the ones cutting off those who are following the rules.

You are right Bogie.

If only people would get that diagram. YOU CAN EXIT from the inside lane. And you are supposed to if you are going three quarters around and you entered on the inside lane.

No it won’t, not any more than handing out speeding tickets stops people from speeding. Instead of trying to fix ignorance, indifference, or obstinance, fix the road and make it idiot proof.

I disagree. Speeding is not based on ignorance of the law. It is quite apparent that those who violate the roundabout rules are not aware that what they are doing is wrong. Once they get a ticket they will learn quite quickly.

:agree: Since I will most likely be one of the idiot's! We have one lane roundabouts in my hometown and they seem to work just fine. So, just to give everyone a fair warning, I will be practicing on the roundabouts the last two weeks of September when we come to TV to contract for our new home. Look out for the women who will be in the left hand lane going round and round because she still is not sure when she is supposed to exit! :loco: Maybe I should just sign up for a roundabout 101 driving lesson. :rolleyes:

Well, at least if you are in the inside/left lane you are entitled to go around as many times as you want. Just don't do it from the right lane.

Enjoy your dream.

I wish the police would just camp out at the Buena Vista/Bailey Trail traffic circle. Everyday I travel on Bailey Trail and when I reach the Buena Vista traffic circle I normally proceed to the inside lane because to go north on Buena Vista it will be my third exit. In the two months I've lived here not a single day has gone by that a car in the outside lane didn't also go to the third exit alongside me. If I had wanted to go straight on Bailey Trail, which becomes Odell Circle, I would of collided with the car in the outside lane.

As a consequence if I go straight on Bailey Trail to Odell, even though I have the right to use the inside lane because it is my second turn, I will only use the outside lane.

Me too! :agree: They are here. They are going to stay. They are not going to be redesigned. Learn the rules. Follow the rules.

:agree: They are what they are and what they are going to be. Follow the rules and assume the other guy won't and you'll be fine.

There is no need for comments like that.

Not sure if this has come up before, but today, my friend related something that happened to her just yesterday. Someone got to the roundabout and instead of bearing to the right to go around, they turned left. She was sure they were new and didn't have a clue so she just stopped and so did the traffic behind her.

Please, in addition to watching for people using the wrong lane, make sure to watch for people going in the wrong direction.

Exactly correct. There is no 'question' about the roundabouts. Only people who don't seem to understand. I just make sure the guy to my right isn't one of them.