[Travelingal702]

Originally Posted by mmorrison123

After another close call I thought I might discuss the right of way rules for traffic circles. It's really very easy. If you find yourself crossing a solid line in a traffic circle (or else where for that matter) you are doing something wrong. If you wish to cross a dashed line in a traffic circle (or else where for that matter) you may do so only if there is no body else in the lane that you wish to cross into. Traffic already in a lane has the right of way. If you wish to remain in your lane and not cross any lines, whether your lane stays in the circle or exits the circle, congratulations you have the right of way, but be very careful. The biggest issue I see are people in the right (outside) lane continuing around the circle, cutting across the dashed line that directs vehicles in the inside lane to exit. In most circles in the villages, the inside lane has the right of way to exit as shown by the lines on the road. There are exceptions of source. The green traffic signs you see as you approach the circles are informational only to help you see what roads are ahead and suggested traffic flow. They are NOT regulatory and do NOT indicate right of way of any mind.

So, stay in your lane, and if you need to cross a dashed line, check that the lane is clear first. Just that easy, but you already knew that didn't you.

........and PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE use your turn signals. Unfortunately, the rules to whom these messages apply probably don't read these handy hints. Too bad!

[Ken Lee]

You are correct sir...

[starflyte1]

Originally Posted by djwill27

That is about the clearest explanation I’ve seen and most people who have replied don’t get it. It’s why there are so many problems. You can turn right from the inside lane most places so the outside lane never has the right-of-way when continuing through the circle and that’s where most of the problems come from. You can see from the responses that almost no one understands that.

You are correct! You do turn right from the inside lane! The first car entering the circle has the right away.

[Get real]

Traffic circles are Trump's fault.

[Girlcopper]

Originally Posted by eyc234

Absolutely astounds us that the rest of the world has no problems with traffic circles but in the US most have no clue. It is correct to think of it as an intersection and act accordingly. Also USE YOUR BLINKERS/INDICATORS!!

Its not the US who has no clue. Its The Villages! I have traveled many places with circles and never have an issue. Get right thru the roundabout smoothly. Here.....well, everyone just does what they want and expects you to get out of their way. Just like shoppers coming out of Walmart. They just walk directly into the parking lot, looking straight ahead and expect you to jam on your breaks. The “entitlement” attitude is everyone of ALL ages

[davem4616]

maybe it's the name.....up north we called them 'rotaries', they were much bigger circles with nothing in the center obstructing views, much easier to navigate

but these 'roundabouts' in TV are nothing....if you really want a challenge....fly over to Ireland, where you drive on the opposite side of the road...there's more than a
few roundabouts over there that will test your driving skills...especially if you're driving a rental, using your left hand to operate the stick shift and have no clue where you're going...lol

we ended up going around more than a couple a few times...just for good measure

[Girlcopper]

Originally Posted by red tail

all exits are not created equal. try going north on morse and then enter the roundabout and then exit to 27/441 going north. no matter what lane you are in you must crossover.

So? Its just like changing lanes on the road. You LOOK before you change.

[villageuser]

Originally Posted by mmorrison123

After another close call I thought I might discuss the right of way rules for traffic circles. It's really very easy. If you find yourself crossing a solid line in a traffic circle (or else where for that matter) you are doing something wrong. If you wish to cross a dashed line in a traffic circle (or else where for that matter) you may do so only if there is no body else in the lane that you wish to cross into. Traffic already in a lane has the right of way. If you wish to remain in your lane and not cross any lines, whether your lane stays in the circle or exits the circle, congratulations you have the right of way, but be very careful. The biggest issue I see are people in the right (outside) lane continuing around the circle, cutting across the dashed line that directs vehicles in the inside lane to exit. In most circles in the villages, the inside lane has the right of way to exit as shown by the lines on the road. There are exceptions of source. The green traffic signs you see as you approach the circles are informational only to help you see what roads are ahead and suggested traffic flow. They are NOT regulatory and do NOT indicate right of way of any mind.

So, stay in your lane, and if you need to cross a dashed line, check that the lane is clear first. Just that easy, but you already knew that didn't you.

Yeah!! Some one who knows how it is correctly done! And explained it clearly. I get tired of these articles that say that if you are in the right lane you can turn on the next one or two turns. That is soooo wrong! Surprising there are not more accidents.

[Miguel 1952]

If I had my way I would get rid of traffic circles. Why? It is confusing to many people. Hence this creates a dangerous situation. Safety must always come first.

[kappy]

Always use your right turn signal when exiting a roundabout, even if you are going straight.

[MandoMan]

Originally Posted by eyc234

Absolutely astounds us that the rest of the world has no problems with traffic circles but in the US most have no clue. It is correct to think of it as an intersection and act accordingly. Also USE YOUR BLINKERS/INDICATORS!!

Last week I drove down a road I hadn’t driven on since last year and discovered a couple new traffic circles. Using them was SO much easier and safer for making left turns from a stop sign, with fast traffic coming from two directions without stopping.

[JanetMM]

[QUOTE=davem4616;1834055]maybe it's the name.....up north we called them 'rotaries', they were much bigger circles with nothing in the center obstructing views, much easier to navigate

but these 'roundabouts' in TV are nothing....if you really want a challenge....fly over to Ireland, where you drive on the opposite side of the road...there's more than a
few roundabouts over there that will test your driving skills...especially if you're driving a rental, using your left hand to operate the stick shift and have no clue where you're going...lol

we ended up going around more than a couple a few times...just for good measure

Same here! “Keep circling, I’ll check the map!” This was before GPS. Even worse was two lane roads more narrow than my tiny driveway with stone “walls” on one side and a cliff drop to the ocean on the other! ;-)

[Janlindsey4@gmail.com]

And use signals when exiting or staying In the center lane. This allows others to see your plans.

[donfey]

Originally Posted by eyc234

Absolutely astounds us that the rest of the world has no problems with traffic circles but in the US most have no clue. It is correct to think of it as an intersection and act accordingly. Also USE YOUR BLINKERS/INDICATORS!!

Ah, but the rest of the world DOES have problems with traffic circles, just like we do here. The "advice" in the OP is well stated: DON'T cross a solid line (but expect that others WILL do so,) and cross dashed lines with caution (but expect that others may be careless.) And YES - DO USE YOUR BLINKERS!

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

Originally Posted by BryanTheGolfPro

I make a point to stay in the right lane, assume the everybody else has the right of way and I live to see another day. It is more important to avoid a wreck than to be correct.

You are causing a problem if you are going to 3/4 of the way around the round about.