Originally Posted by Gil Chapin (Post 391769)

OK, that makes sense. It's perhaps a question of how many of us actually do that... Not that I wasn't cautious about entering anyway, but now that I know that, I'll wait even longer. Thanks for the tip.

Originally Posted by EdVinMass (Post 391742)

Why not, it's a noble dream.

And my solution is unlikely to become reality either. Defensive driving is the only alternative at this point.

Originally Posted by Gil Chapin (Post 391753)

There were a few questions about my posting from the other day which I will try to address.

By "inside" and "outside" lanes, I meant the "left" and "right" lanes respectively, making reference to the circle and which lane was closer to the center of the circle.

I do have the brochure and have read it and I thought I understood it. But my concern persists for the case in which, even with everyone following the rules, there is still considerable risk of a collision. Please do correct me If I've not realized something that would make this not so.

I'll try to clarify the case I'm concerned about. I'm entering a two lane roundabout in the right/outer lane with the intention of going to the 2nd/180 degree exit (I don't have my brochure at hand, but I'm pretty sure that's permitted). Another vehicle has already entered the inner/left lane one entrance before me with the intention of taking his second/180 degree exit - one exit before mine. He and I are now next to each other. I intend to continue past his exit (that's why there are dotted lane lines across my path at his exit and that's why there are straight arrows just past his exit in my lane...). I probably can't see his turn signal (which, of course, as required by law, he is using to indicate his intentions to exit the roundabout) and he can't see that I'm not signalling for an exit. He may presume, because he read the brochure and it says he can do this, that he can exit at will because the brochure showed both lanes exiting together when you both go "straight through". Except he didn't realize that I'm not taking the same "straight through" path he's expecting. My second exit is the next one. So either he turns into me when he crosses into my lane or I hit him when he gets a little ahead of me and crosses my lane - even though we both followed "the rules". My point is that whenever you're in a roundabout, you probably don't know the other driver's situation and you have to presume the worst, even if it means yielding in a situation where you thought you had the right of way.

Too frequently, I see vehicles in the inside/left lane in the roundabout take an exit without looking to see what the vehicle near them in the outer/right lane is going to do. It's very scary.

I know... I know... I'll go away now.

Originally Posted by momesu (Post 391916)

This is why two lane roundabouts only work when the people entering and staying in the right most lane immediately exit at the next exit. If they can go to the second exit then there is always a potential problem with people in the left most lane trying to get out of the roundabout.
Suzanne

Originally Posted by pooh (Post 391930)

Just follow the arrows...it's as simple as that!

Originally Posted by mikeod (Post 391964)

Actually, follow the arrows that are painted at your entrance to the roundabout. They show the right lane going either right or straight and the left lane going straight or left (third exit). Once in the roundabout, the arrows can cause confusion.

The points made above about people not waiting until BOTH lanes are clear before entering the roundabout are the crux of the problem. If drivers followed this and used the proper lanes, the other problems would occur less. You wouldn't have to worry about the person on your right blocking your exit because there wouldn't be anyone on your right. You wouldn't have to worry about the driver in the inner/left lane cutting off your path to go straight because they wouldn't be there.

Originally Posted by jrheydt (Post 392041)

If I see someone in the inner lane on a roundabout I will not enter the outer lane until he has gone past my entrance. I am unable to tell whether he will be exiting the next exit unless he uses a turn signal to show that. Best to wait.

John

Originally Posted by NJblue (Post 391844)

Unlike speeding, for which there is a clear motive from the perspective of the violator, improper use of the roundabouts has no motive..

Originally Posted by EdVinMass (Post 392061)

The last time I got a speeding ticket (over 30 years ago) it was because I didn’t notice that the speed limit had dropped from 50 to 35. And how many of you out there have glanced down at your speedometer only to find that you and all the other cars around you are speeding. You didn’t get a ticket, but you should have even though you had no motivation to do so.

And as for motives in the roundabouts, park by a roundabout exit some day and count the number of vehicles that exit without signaling. You’ll be amazed. You think that’s because they don’t know that they’re supposed to signal when turning?

Originally Posted by NJblue (Post 392131)

If the lack of turn signals were the crux of the problem I would agree with you..

Originally Posted by NJblue (Post 392131)

....I'll agree that the roundabouts could be much better designed...

Originally Posted by EdVinMass (Post 392155)

I’ll be sure to pass on your sentiments to the widow of the cart driver that was T-Boned at the El Camino Real/Morse Blvd roundabout by a car that failed to indicate its intention to exit the roundabout.

Originally Posted by jrheydt (Post 392041)

If I see someone in the inner lane on a roundabout I will not enter the outer lane until he has gone past my entrance. I am unable to tell whether he will be exiting the next exit unless he uses a turn signal to show that. Best to wait.

John