Round Abouts

runaway parents · November 6, 2016

Well Washington dot has a fascination with round abouts we got another installed in Wenatchee I have noticed a lot of people straightening these things out going right threw the red area that is normally used for trucks that cant make the corner isn't this illegal?

Pat & Pete · November 6, 2016

Well Washington dot has a fascination with round abouts we got another installed in Wenatchee I have noticed a lot of people straightening these things out going right threw the red area that is normally used for trucks that cant make the corner isn't this illegal?

I'm sure it is , but , people do illegal stuff every minute of every day , so ...

Dollytrolley · November 6, 2016

In Italy we drive some 8 lane roundabouts and every driver is Italian except us and our buddy Marko tells us just remember the law of the lug nuts......the vehicle with the largest AND most lug nuts ALWAYS has the right of way.....

Drive on.......(Count the lug nuts.....and give way)

beyerjf · November 6, 2016

Born and raised in NJ, where "traffic circles" as they are known and Massachusetts (known as "a Rotary" ) have been creating problems as long as the vehicle has been around. They work fine until the density of traffic exceeds a certain point and then base human rage takes over and they become everyman for himself. Add lack of driver education as to their proper use and they are dangerous.

NJ and MA are spending millions to remove them while the rest of the country has embraced them, mostly for environmental reasons, not traffic flow. It seems that cars stopping and starting( stop signs or traffic lights) spew a little more hydrocarbons into the air, the theory being if we keep them rolling, less pollution, and a byproduct of keeping the traffic flowing smoothly.

Depending on who designed the thing at a specific location, they may or may not accomdate a tractor trailer with a 275" wheelbase pulling a 53' trailer. At the very least you are going to put it up on the inner curb/circle designed for the purpose. But truckers are loath to scrub a tire against a curb, even a rounded one with 34k lbs on the axle.

Norm & Rhonda · November 6, 2016

This part of Missouri is go off the top edge installing these Traffic hazards. People have not been educated in the proper use of the "Round About". The lack of attention drivers have result in defeating the good of Round Abouts. Resulting in most vehicles stopping anyway. You would think they might use public service commercials to educate drivers but no they continue to watch drivers to flounder and more accidents to occur.

The same thing happens at on ramps. The word "MERGE" must mean wait to the last minute turn your head to see that you are beside another vehicle and expect them to disappear. Well I have flipped the switch on my dash numerous times and it does nothing. I Think my disappear switch is broken.

Oops I will get off my Soup Box now...

If you couldn't tell you might have struck a nerve.

beyerjf · November 6, 2016

Do not even get me started about how the average motorist doesn't have the skill to use a merge lane properly onto an interstate highway. Let's review. The 1st limited access highway in the country was the PA tpk in 1940, followed by several others. By 1956 when the interstate hwy law was signed there were lots of merging lanes for motorists to learn on, and then add 50,000 miles of interstate since.

75 years of use, and the skill ecsapes a significant portion of the driving poplulation. And now roundabouts?

holaCG · November 7, 2016

One night a few years ago I entered a round a bout in Phoenix AZ, as I was going around the circle another car didn't yield and forced me up on the inner circle (it wasn't busy). Turned out that car was a cop. He quickly flipped his lights on and pulled me over. He asked why I didn't yield? I told him traffic in the circle has the right away. He told me no, traffic to the right has the right away and I should have tried and let him in. I asked if he wanted to go back and look at the signs with me. At that time, he said he would let me go but I need to learn how round abouts are used...

Apparently even some law enforcement officers don't know how to use them!

oletimer · November 7, 2016

There are some benefits to the round about in some places, BUT, it seems that when folks get to the point they can't set still for a red light, they go nuts. I have a niece that would rather turn right on a red light (legal) then go around the block, so she wouldn't have to wait for a green. She is 50+ not a kid. In Kansas, they are now installing round abouts on highways in the middle of nowhere to replace either 2 way or 4 way stops. I guess that sense, unless you are driving a 52' cattle hauler, and can't make the turn. Ever noticed all the tracks over the island. I'm not crazy about all the round abouts, but like one of my driver friends said to me, "they ain't for the timid"! I think it makes it very hard to prove who is at fault, when there is an accident. Just my 2 cents. Dick T

Hot Rod · November 7, 2016

As a general rule, I do think roundabouts improve traffic flow and like them. First experienced them in NJ many years ago, and as a young respectful midwestern driver, I found that combining the average a$$hole NJ driver with the free for all of a roundabout was a bad mix. But I have experienced them in many other states since, and they are installing them in all sorts of unlikely places in our little corner of NE OH now, when used properly by drivers with just a bit of common sense they really work well. Although I will say they are a lot scarier on my Harley than in the big truck. When on two wheels you normally have to assume that every other driver is an idiot and out to kill you, and that goes double in a roundabout. The bonus is the bike is way more nimble and speedier than the rest of the traffic, "when in doubt, gas it" works pretty well.

Alie&Jim's Carrilite · November 7, 2016

I first experienced Round-abouts as a kid in England, France, Italy, and Germany. Later had the opportunity to drive some of those myself. Some of my most unforgettable driving experiences is holding a POS Fiat on the inside lane going around one in Paris. People doing 65-70mph on a 1/2 mile circle with 5 entries/exists..... Kept missing the exit I needed and went in circles for 10-15 minutes. People will not let you to the outside and off your exit unless you have a backbone and remember its a rental your driving....

noteven · November 7, 2016

Driving over the raised area of a roundabout road racer style is not illegal it is part of the road. It is there for trailers to track on, reduce speed, and mainly to remind texters the concrete flower bed is about to hurt.

http://www.economist.com/news/europe/21697235-invented-britain-modern-traffic-circles-invade-frances-hexagon-french-revolution

In the above article look mostly at the graph partway down on the right...

We arrived back at our daughter's employer's home after a 2 week driving tour of England. Our hosts (a young professional couple) asked what I liked most about driving in England. I said once I quit turning on the wipers when meaning to use the indicators ("signal lights") I really enjoyed the lack of stop signs (we saw one in 2000 miles - stopped and took a picture of it), give way signs ("yield signs"), and roundabouts. I really like the way traffic generally moves all the time. We have traffic lights, stop signs etc... because our solution to "congestion" is to stop traffic.

I wish his polite reply could become the "Do no harm" motto for civil engineers /traffic planners: "Why would you stop if there is no one coming?"

Think about the "standard" double lane urban stop light intersection - 8 through lanes in 4 directions, 4 left turn storage lanes, 4 right turn lanes. How many opportunities for the serious T-bone collision every cycle of the lights?

Roundabouts being automatic accident zones is probably more urban legend than statistically proven.

Don't get me started about drivers who stop at yield signs when no one is coming, roundabouts, and merge lanes....

whoooops! fell off my soapbox

Nolan · November 7, 2016

Really don't like roundabouts, since most car/pickup drivers don't yield when I'm in one. Of course lots of car/pickup drivers don't yield for me getting on interstates so I guess why should it matter.

However did like the one roundabout in Anacortes, WA. a few years back when we missed the turn for the campground we were heading for.

Maybe I should edit this. That car and pickup drivers don't yield for me when THEY are getting on the interstate. I have had to slow down or would have hit them. I know I have to yield when getting on the interstate.

http://trucktrailerforsale.blogspot.com/

Ronbo · November 8, 2016

Drivers on the interstate are not supposed to yield to you when you are entering. You are supposed to yield to them. A couple years ago we were passing through Abilene, Tx and I applied the brakes to give an oncoming vehicle some space to merge. They didn't bother speeding up at all. I checked my truck hand mirror and saw my 5th wheel trying to pass me on the black ice. I decided then and there it was their responsibility to merge and not mine to make a space for them.

Hot Rod · November 8, 2016

Ditto that. I gave up on the abrupt braking or lane change to "save" the dumbass coming up the ramp that doesn't know how to yield. Now I consider it a valuable driving lesson for them when I see that cloud of dust in the right mirror when they are bouncing through the grass when the merge lane runs out.

Nolan · November 8, 2016

Drivers on the interstate are not supposed to yield to you when you are entering. You are supposed to yield to them. A couple years ago we were passing through Abilene, Tx and I applied the brakes to give an oncoming vehicle some space to merge. They didn't bother speeding up at all. I checked my truck hand mirror and saw my 5th wheel trying to pass me on the black ice. I decided then and there it was their responsibility to merge and not mine to make a space for them.

I know that, I have to yield. I guess the way I wrote it was misunderstood. I edited my last post to be more clear. (hopefully)

jkennell · November 8, 2016

I loved the Rrrouundaboot as we jokingly called it (fake Scottish accent) while driving in Europe and GB. Once you understand the operation, it appears to allow far more cars/hour than a stop light or 4 way. I'm firmly of the opinion they are great...unless you are driving a big rig! I think they are best employed in generally suburban areas, where the 4 wheeler predominates and there is a lot of traffic.

I agree that most drivers in the USA are not used to them.. so? Add it to the Driver's Ed course or something. No harder to get used to than Merging (As above). Idiots will always be with us.

On another note, I read an article recently where a local school is working with a trucking firm to allow every one of its Drivers Ed students the experience of getting into a HDT, seeing what the driver sees in his mirrors, etc. Wide turns, how long it takes to stop... First hand experience in realizing that this is a big HEAVY vehicle. KUDDOS.

peety3 · November 8, 2016

One night a few years ago I entered a round a bout in Phoenix AZ, as I was going around the circle another car didn't yield and forced me up on the inner circle (it wasn't busy). Turned out that car was a cop. He quickly flipped his lights on and pulled me over. He asked why I didn't yield? I told him traffic in the circle has the right away. He told me no, traffic to the right has the right away and I should have tried and let him in. I asked if he wanted to go back and look at the signs with me. At that time, he said he would let me go but I need to learn how round abouts are used...

Apparently even some law enforcement officers don't know how to use them!

I would have had an extremely hard time not saying "Give me the ticket right now" and as soon as I had it, "I'll see you in court".

Or, "Could I please take your picture? How about we do it back here by that sign post?"

mr. cob · November 10, 2016

Howdy All,

Roundabouts as they are constructed in Europe are great, however the way they are building them in the Peoples Republik of Washington, is a nightmare on steroids. Here when entering the roundabout the road turns to the LEFT before making a sharp kink to the right and into the circle. This forces one to slow down and in the case of large trucks at times forces one to nearly come to a stop as the circles themselves are so tight. In Snohomish county where I live they are installing these things everywhere, most are built in such a way that the only way the large logging trucks can go through them at a REASONABLE speed is to drag the trailer over the raised center section. Another good idea poorly executed.

Dave