Much ado about nothing.

Not to all developers - please don't follow this recommendation.

Not to deviate from the original point, but in my opinion it would be safer if they made the circles ONE LANE only. Sure, it would slow down traffic, but on the bright side maybe outsiders that use The Villages to avoid the highway traffic would not frequent our community so much. It would be safer to have one lane with no one worrying about crossing over to exit. You have to be real alert when traveling circles and some folks act as if operating an automobile is new to them.

The big problem here is the first line of your post - you are not obeying the rules of the road if you stay in the outside (right) lane and try to exit at the third exit. If you are going 3/4 of the way around the circle you are REQUIRED to be in the inside (left) lane. And as others have said, you CAN use the visitor lane to go through the gate, or if you prefer, once you get out of the traffic circle, change lanes over to the resident lane.

Circles
 

Easiest way to navigate the roundabouts is to think of the like a regular highway with big curves. If you are in the right lane you can either proceed straight or make the (first) right turn. If you are in the left lane you can go straight or make a left (including basically a u turn). Yes that means that you may enter your resident gate on the visitor side. Not an issue. What is an issue is drivers from another direction not yielding to cars already in the circle. Always drive defensively in the circles and you will be fine.

In Massachusetts the rule is simple, "the vehicle in the circle (Rotary) has the right of way". Where the Villages developer made a mistake is allowing 2 lanes of traffic to enter and exit the circles.

great video from The Villagesz. How To Navigate The Roundabouts Properly In The Villages - YouTube

The issue usually is when you want to exit from the 3rd exit. Think ahead to which lane you want to exit from. Even then avoid traveling the Roundabout BESIDE another car; stagger among the other cars so you can avoid someone who travels to the 3rd exit in the outside lane. I have, more than once, had to go all the way around the circle to get BACK to my exit because of another driver's error. As others have said, be vigilant. On the other hand, don't be too hesitant--traffic circles are designed to flow; when it's your time to go, GO.

Roundabouts
 

It's really very simple.If you enter the roundabout in the right lane, you can turn right (first exit), or go straight (second exit). If you enter the roundabout in the left lane, you can go straight (second exit), or you can make a left turn (third exit), or you can make a U-turn (fourth exit) to go back the way you are coming from. Once you are in the roundabout, you have the "right of way" for anyone entering the roundabout after you. From the inside lane, you have the right of way, when making a left turn, to cross over the outside lane and get into the right hand lane, which is the resident lane entering the "neighborhoods".

PLEASE,PLEASE,PLEASE,USE YOUR BLINKERS! If your blinkers are not activated we assume your NOT turning.

Ohiobuckeye
 

I think he's asking about lane switching to get onto the side he's suppose to. Everybody has their own idea what we're suppose to do. It's kinda confusing to listen to everybodies opinion.

You know everybody has their own idea what you're suppose to do, so take your pick & good luck! You know when I get into the round-a-bout & if there's a car running right next to me & I'm in the Left lane I don't take any chances I go around again & try not to run right next to another car. If I'm in the Right lane & I have a car right next to me & I don't want to turn in the first exit I slow down & let that car get ahead of me just so I see if they're going to cut across in front of me. Just be very careful & make sure you're not in no big hurry to get where you're going to, but I know there's a lot of short tempered jerks out their that think they're always right when it comes to accidents. Have a great day!

There are signs at the beginning of each circle that show the proper way navigate it. In simple terms: If you're in the outer part of the circle you can take either the first or second exit. However, if you want to go to the third exit, or all the way around, you should use the inner circle. There are also pamphlets at all recreation centers that give complete instructions. Note: Not everyone follows the rules, so be careful!

IF you want to take the 3rd exit, then you are about to make a TURN LEFT when you get into a Round About (aka an INTERSECTION).

You definitively want to make a LEFT TURN. Please get in the left lane before you get to the roundabout. Exactly what you have been doing since you started driving. The 3rd exit is a LEFT TURN. GET IN THE LEFT LANE!

IF you are taking the 2nd exit, you are going STRAIGHT. You are welcome to use both lanes.

However, beware of numbnuts who are turning LEFT form the RIGHT lane. This is usually due to not understanding their options from the Right Lane. Those options are you must either go STRAIGHT OR TURN RIGHT. Exactly what you have been doing since you started driving. NEVER TURN LEFT from the RIGHT LANE while you are in the the ROUND ABOUT.

IF you want to take the 1st exit, then TURN RIGHT. It is a no brainer to Turn Right from the Right Lane. NEVER TURN RIGHT from the LEFT LANE while you are in the the ROUND ABOUT.

IF you think you need to be in the RIGHT LANE TO EXIT the ROUND ABOUT you are MISTAKEN and DANGEROUS. Exiting at the 1st, 2nd or 3rd exit require getting in the proper lane BEFORE entering the Round About.

What you now know, please adhere to it. If you are hit by a car turning left from the right lane. The Sheriff will explain that to that culprit. And you will get a ticket.

Here is a summary your options at a ROUND ABOUT:

1ST EXIT is a RIGHT TURN. Get in the RIGHT LANE BEFORE ENTERING THE ROUND ABOUT.

2ND EXIT is actually traveling directly through the INTERSECTION and CONTINUING STRAIGHT ON THE SAME STREET. You may do this from either lane.

3RD EXIT is a LEFT TURN. Get in the LEFT LANE BEFORE ENTERING THE ROUND ABOUT.

Know that a lot of drivers cannot understand why they have to YIELD to smaller side streets when they are barreling down BV or MB. Good luck don't assume anybody knows where they are going. BE ALERT, BE SAFE.

How To Navigate The Roundabouts Properly In The Villages - YouTube Are you serious? That guy doesn't know how to drive the RA.He turned right twice from inside lane.He said one time that he was in outside lane when he was in inside lane! Please watch this to see how not to drive the RA.