[CFrance]

Originally Posted by Topspinmo

Should never happen if theY yielded to traffic in the roundabout. You should be well pass them. But the problem they pull out into the roundabout before you cleared them. That’s why rhey are beside you unless you are creeping at 5 MPH?

Plus, I think they should change the Yield signs to say Yield to Both Lanes. You're not supposed to enter the roundabout if there is another car already in it.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

I think that terminology has a a lot to do with the confusion some people have.

Taking the first exist is often referred to as making a right turn.

Taking the second exist is often referred to as going straight ahead and taking the third exit is usually referred to as making a left hand turn.

While all of these are somewhat true, the truth is that cars exiting a round about are not really making a turn.

When taking the third exit, you are not turning right from the left hand lane. You are simply staying in your lane. The round about is part of all four roads that it connects to. So if you're headed north and intend to go west, you should get into the left hand lane and stay in it including when you leave the round about. You are not making a right hand turn. You are continuing on the same road in your lane.

Thinking of making a right hand turn from the right hand lane and a left hand turn from the left hand lane is a pretty simple and effective way of thinking about it but a round about is actually more of a curve in the road than it is an intersection. Of course, when traveling straight through or taking the second exit, you may use either lane. I always try to use the right hand lane because some people don't know the rule.

When using the left hand lane to go to the third exit (left hand turn) I am always very aware of people in the right hand lane. Some of them don't know the rules and feel that the right hand lane is safer. But the point to be made here is to ALWAYS be aware of other cars in the round about and expect them to do the wrong thing.

There is a situation that can occur when both drivers are following the rules that can be a problem. A driver enters the round about in the left hand lane heading north and intends to take the second exit. Another driver enters at approximately the same time in the right hand lane heading west and intends to go straight through. As the first driver begins to exit he is going to cut in front of the second driver. If both drivers are aware and courteous this should get worked out without a problem. If one driver is aware and paying attention, he should be able to avoid an accident. However, if both drivers are distracted, there's a good chance that they will collide and blame each other when both were following the rules.

Pay attention. Know the location of other cars and anticipate them doing the wrong thing and you'll be fine.

[billethkid]

And the magic one....yield to the other driver.

Remember the right of way is to be given....not taken!!

[itsaly]

Confession - I am that traffic circle dummy. I've been visiting The Villages a week or so every summer for the last 20 years and I have to admit I am still confused by the circles. The circles in my area are not 2 lanes, so I'm not use to navigating ones like those throughout The Villages. Every year I have to pull up the tutorial for a refresher and I do try to be very cautious, but I still goof sometimes. Please forgive me if I make a mistake. I can't imagine navigating them during snowbird season.

[Rebel Pirate]

Originally Posted by 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.

SAFETY MUST ALWAYS COME FIRST.

Okay, so how should "safety" be defined? Some would define it as (1) reducing the number of traffic collisions to the absolute minimum at that intersection. Others would define it as (2) reducing the number of deaths and serious injuries caused by traffic collisions at that intersection.

If you believe that (2) is the appropriate definition to use in this context, then traffic circles are MUCH, MUCH safer than traditional intersections, whether those intersections are controlled by stop signs or traffic lights.

[stan the man]

Originally Posted by Stu from NYC

Times like that wish I drove an M1.

Another great comment from stu

[sjeffries]

They have the right of way! The outside lane has to yield to a car exiting in front of them.

[Topspinmo]

Originally Posted by Stu from NYC

Maybe I am missing something but how do you turn left? Kind of puts you in the island

Watch you’re hands! You’re either turning left or right in circle.

[Topspinmo]

IMO what I find the most unusual is people will stop before entering roundabout when no traffic in the roundabout Or coming around the roundabouts. But they will blow through stop sign or coast out into intersection creating problem for people already in line at 4 way stop ( you’re not in line at 4 way stop till you stop preferable behind the stop sign or white line stop sign on the road)

Tip? never take you’re eye off the car in front of you when entering aroundabout, they might slam on there brakes when no traffic in roundabout.

[Marathon Man]

Originally Posted by 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.

Confusion is not an excuse. Anyone who is confused is invited to take the time to access the many sources available to learn all about the roundabouts in our community. Knowledge gets rid of confusion.

[VApeople]

Originally Posted by billethkid

And the magic one....yield to the other driver.

Remember the right of way is to be given....not taken!!

I do not agree.

I drive slowly in a roundabout, but if I have the right of way, I will take it. If I suspect another driver might take it, I honk at them, and keep honking until they back off.

Of course, if they don't back off, then I back off, which is easy to do since I am driving slowly.

[kendi]

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.

Might be more helpful for some to post the diagram and instructions from TV weekly bulletin. But with all the temporary people coming in and out of TV doubt you'll find much improvement.

[Polar Bear]

Originally Posted by billethkid

...Remember the right of way is to be given....not taken!!

Couldn’t be more wrong. You either have right of way or you don’t. You cannot give it or take it.

And when you have it, proceed...cautiously. Do not try to give it to somebody else.

[Stu from NYC]

Originally Posted by Topspinmo

Watch you’re hands! You’re either turning left or right in circle.

But if we are getting off the third exit we are making a right turn.

[nn0wheremann]

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.

Wrong!
If you are in the circle, you have right of way over anyone not in the circle. Never pass within the circle, and signal your intent to turn, especially left from the outside lane or right from the inside lane, in case the Bozo snowbird or uniformed individual behind you decides they want to break the rule and pass you.