Two points on circles, back in PA there is one in Easton, PA, that to this day I have no idea how to use it. They actually have TRAFFIC SIGNALS on it, with only red and yellow lamps! I avoid it a all costs. They converted the intersection of route 29 and 73 to a circle a few years ago, and I must say it improved traffic flow considerably. I need to point out it is SINGLE LANE WIDE, and I believe this is the reason it works so well.

I would be a very interesting experiment to take traffic cones, and convert the existing TV circles to SINGLE LANE. I think this would eliminate a lot of problems.
Just my thoughts.

Really? You think that thousands of people trying to merge either before or while entering the round a bout would be safer than the simple method of just staying in your lane?

Excellent idea. Anybody that has a problem with elderly drivers, here's a hint, don't move to a retirement community. Florida, like most states, does not require anyone to retake a driving test just because they are aging. All residents are getting older, not younger.

Can you provide some education to us on how to enter and exit the circles? I think I know the only legal way to do it (per the Sheriff's Dept) but wanted to hear what you'd say. If I'm right, a perfectly safe exit from the circle is impossible

"Its sometimes OK to roll through stop signs if you can clearly see no traffic coming from either direction" was one of the quotes on this thread. Where does the law say thats OK? Or is it more of an "attitude" by the driver?

I just had an interesting incident. As I was riding my bike, I was approaching and intersection to my left about 50 yards in front of me. A car came through the intersection and made a right turn. A car behind him came to a complete stop at the stop sign, looked at me, looked to his left and then pulled out right in front of me and I jammed on my brakes. As he was coming out of the intersection, he looked back toward me and cut off the corner of the intersection and stayed in the wrong lane for a little bit in order to avoid me colliding with him.

I guess for some people he was fine because he came to a complete stop at the stop sign.

As I continued my ride, I stopped at several busy intersections and noticed that not one car came to a full and complete stop with zero rotation of the wheels and not one of these cars caused any kind of a problem. They could see very well in every direction while rolling a four or five mph. They all proceeded very safely. But the guy that came to a full stop, almost caused and accident.

I go back to my point and say that it's not always about following the letter of the law and getting all the little details correct. It's about using common sense to proceed safely.

If you are entering the round about at six o'clock and are going to exit it at three o'clock should use the left hand lane. If you're planning on exiting it at 12:00 you can use either lane. If your going to exit at 9:00 or continue all around and exit where you entered, you should use the left hand lane. How is it that a perfectly safe exit is not possible?

A driver obviously needs to be aware of other cars around him and sometimes we need to make a decision on whether to go in front of a car or slow down and let that car pass. These decisions are made all the time whether or not you're in a round a bout.

People will roll thru stop signs until the get a ticket for a moving violation and their insurance goes up. I always stop, full at stop signs. I don't interpret the law to suit myself.

Lol, taxi or tax, cost you dollars to pay for either.

Dr. I think you meant right lane if you enter the round about at 6:00 and exit at 3:00. Studies do show the round abouts are efficient.

While I agree that "most" of the time it is possible to perform a safe right hand turn at an intersection without coming to a complete stop this still does not make this action legal! If the sign says Stop then do so or face the consequences. If the sign say Yield you can proceed without first stopping.

Additions To Stop Signs
 

Maybe we need a few of these.....

Yes!

Like you, I also hope Dr. meant the right lane. But, to continue with his scenario, think about this:
Car enters from 6 o'clock and wants to exit at 12 o'clock (get in the left or right lane per Dr. instructions). At the same time, another car enters at 3 o'clock and wants to exit at 9 o'clock (right lane per Dr.). How does the car coming from 3 o'clock continue past 12 o'clock if the 6 o'clock vehicle is in the left lane?
BTW, the sheriff says if you go 1/4 or 1/2 the way around, use the right lane. if you go 3/4, use the left lane. But, wait a minute, they also say STOP at STOP signs, not slow and go so they can't be right:police:

Of course you are correct. sorry about that.

It's very simple. You have to either go in front or or behind the other car. You check your mirror before entering the round a bout and make a decision. In fact when I see another car entering the roundabout I start planning on where I'm going to go.

I've been here for a year and a half and have never had a problem.

Are people driving with blindfolds on? Can they not see the other cars? Do they not have mirrors on their cars?

It's not rocket science. Make sure that your car and another car don't try to occupy the same space at the same time.

The car coming from 3 o'clock should not enter until after the cars that entered at 6 o'clock have passed. You don't enter if there are cars in either lane to your left already in the roundabout. That means that even if there is only a car in the inside lane, you still don't enter the outside lane until they have passed. This prevents the scenario you described from happening.

Don't be so sure....:22yikes:

Thanks Bonanza, I tried, but somedays it does no good!!

Anywhere you might be, you will find drivers who think the laws do not apply to the. Thus the stop sign issues.

Cameras would be very effective in catching those offenders. Word would spread like wildfire and The Villages would be a safer place to drive, certainly.

The "round a bouts" are a very effective means of traffic control. There are simply too many drivers who do not understand how to use them and want to make up their own rules. That is what makes them dangerous. If everyone drove them as intended, there would not be a problem.

Pedestrians do have the right of way. Coming out of a store where there is a marked crosswalk it is the drivers responsibility to yield to the pedestrians. There is often a series of shoppers leaving and it can be frustrating to wait. But it is the drivers who are to yield.

I'm not talking about "jay walkers". I'm talking about marked crosswalks in shopping areas.

Many people have a "me first" attitude and feel entitled behind the wheel. We all need to drive very defensively and with courtesy. That would solve any of the problems we see here. Oh yes, and call about getting cameras put in at major intersections. It would be safer and a real moneymaker for these small counties.

I don't think that putting camera's on stop signs is a very good idea. The cost would be prohibitive. I'd rather think that we don't need more big brother monitoring our behavior, but that we can manage without it.

That's the part that a lot of folks don't get, or adhere to. The yield signs at the roundabout entrances mean yield to both lanes. If there is someone in either lane, don't enter till they've passed and both lanes are clear. And don't pass anyone, either.

Could not agree more with this! Cannot count the number of times I have watched a driver enter the roundabout from the right lane, move to the left land at 3:00 and then back to the right to exit at 12:00. For what? Just so they can speed through the roundabout a few miles an hour faster??? I just wait until both lanes are clear and proceed.

This topic has been going on too long, tax, taxi, who cares, just be careful out there!

HELLO !! Everyone posting on this thread is saying how dangerous stop signs are.

If you get rid of the circles and wanted to go in the opposite direction, one would have to turn right and go to the next traffic light and make a u turn...of course there would have to be another lane for turning,,, making BV or Morse a 3 lane each side. People would still try to run the light or perhaps drive across 6 lanes of traffic. But of course, you are the expert.

People need more education on the circles....homeowners need to leave very detailed instructions for renters. Daily Sun also should. There are no more traffic problems in TV than any other desirable part of Florida. Old people are very dangerous so, as someone posted, Drive defensively.


There are plenty of circles where I come from in different sizes. Cape Cod has them everywhere and traffic in the Summer is worse than TV. Circles are all over the UK and Australia....Mostly small ones. Encountered many in California.

Wow! People are really blowing this out of proportion. I don't think any comments are to be taken personally. It is a topic of concern and various viewpoints will be expressed.

Why are some of you on the offense here? Very odd.

Lots of roundabouts in the Salt Lake City suburbs in Utah. Lots in Clearwater, Florida, lots in Folsom, El Dorado Hills, Roseville, areas of Ca. Many places with newer neighborhoods are using roundabouts to expedite traffic control. My hubby retired from Utah dept of transportation and we see them everywhere we travel.

They are new to many and seem strange at first, but are a great way to keep traffic in all directions moving. Caution is the key, as always, when driving.

Drive defensively and with courtesy!! Simple as that! Oh, good idea to obey traffic laws too. Like stop signs!!!

No, Rango did not find it humorous,...this was your quote.


According to Wikapedia "At junctions with stop signs or traffic lights, the most serious accidents are right angle, left turn or head on collisions, where vehicles move fast and collide at high impact angles, e.g. head on. Roundabouts virtually eliminate those types of crashes. Instead, most crashes are glancing blows at low angles of impact."


I cant imagine trying to make a u turn at a stop sign, proceeding across 4 lanes of traffic to head in the opposite direction. One would definitely need side air bags.

We have vacationed at TV for years (18+) and I have to say as far as driving goes, this vacation was the rudest I have ever experienced at TV. Aggressive, short tempered, horn blowing, bird flying, ignoring stop signs, yelling, etc.. On one occasion I was cut off by a cart driver at LSL, making an illegal left turn on a red light almost causing the tailgater behind me to hit us. He then proceeded to yell he has the right of way “because he lives there.” At another intersection as soon as the light turned green, the gal behind me in her SUV blows her horn. I guess she was late for her tee time.

Ahh, lane surfing! That's a pet peeve of mine, and can be very dangerous.

Regarding our roundabouts and the rules for traveling in them, there are signs that indicate the proper usage in the approaches to each of them

And how do those signs help you when someone cuts in front of you to because you were following the rules and they didn't have a clue? This is not a snow bird thing, it happens everyday.

Also, I think we should put this to rest, it's getting ugly!

I am making a public vow to quit reading this thread, It is hurting my brain .

No different than when one cuts you off on any road anywhere!

It is just like the people who have golf carts that go over 20 mph. You can't fix stupid.

Have you ever come to a four way stop and no one knows who's turn it is to proceed? It is anxiety producing to say the least. IMHO, the RABs are very safe if you drive them defensively. That is the key. I NEVER allow anyone to drive beside me. I will alter my speed so NO ONE is ever beside me.....EVER. I've never had a problem in the RABs and I'm here during the winter months when it is busiest on the roads.

The word is TAX not TAXI. I think you might have misread that. LOL.