Round Abouts

Looks like Pa. is starting to install Round Abouts in some intersections.   Found  2 in last 2 weeks although very far apart.     It's been 30 years or so since I was in Germany and they are very common in Europe.

Poor drivers here don't have a clue only know red yellow green.  When they see no traffic light just stop and look around.

They will learn

I'll agree with that. Won't take locals long to see the advantages.

Roundabouts and mini roundabouts are hardly a big deal, we ride round them on the left here in the UK, and if we go into mainland Europe, we have to ride round them on the right.

We have one roundabout here in town and they are putting in another. I don't have a problem with them now that I'm not driving a semi-truck anymore.
There are still those who don't know how to drive through one. They get into the roundabout and stop for inbound traffic when they actually have the right of way.

We now have 3 in Wickenburg, AZ with talk of adding 5 more (sigh). I believe the first one went in about 2010 and oh the accidents on them. Lots of retirees in this town not used to them PLUS the semi-trucks have fits, due to speed and the round a bouts being too small.

Being a retired truck driver, when I come to our roundabout and see a semi coming from the right, if he's close enough I'll pull into the roundabout and stop and wave him to go through so he doesn't have to stop or slow down all that much. I usually get a thank you wave. However from 4 wheelers behind me I usually get the "One Finger" wave. Can't please everybody I guess.

Dale N. wrote:

Being a retired truck driver, when I come to our roundabout and see a semi coming from the right, if he's close enough I'll pull into the roundabout and stop and wave him to go through so he doesn't have to stop or slow down all that much. I usually get a thank you wave. However from 4 wheelers behind me I usually get the "One Finger" wave. Can't please everybody I guess.

I am no expert in traffic rules and such, but your act of consideration for fellow truck drivers is very dangerous . The idea of the traffic circle is to keep traffic moving and merging seamlessly when it is safe to do so. Stopping in the circle is probably illegal outside of emergency situations. But, I qualify my comment by saying that I am no expert and I don't mean any offence to Dale or anyone else.

Jay.

No offense taken Jay. I should clarify my comment by saying that if it's busy and lots of traffic coming from all directions I won't do that. But if it's only me and the truck I will. And the "One Finger" wave is usually from those coming behind the truck from the same direction once he goes through and I continue. I guess they figure I should wait for them also.

cotetoi wrote:

Dale N. wrote:

Being a retired truck driver, when I come to our roundabout and see a semi coming from the right, if he's close enough I'll pull into the roundabout and stop and wave him to go through so he doesn't have to stop or slow down all that much. I usually get a thank you wave. However from 4 wheelers behind me I usually get the "One Finger" wave. Can't please everybody I guess.

I am no expert in traffic rules and such, but your act of consideration for fellow truck drivers is very dangerous . The idea of the traffic circle is to keep traffic moving and merging seamlessly when it is safe to do so. Stopping in the circle is probably illegal outside of emergency situations. But, I qualify my comment by saying that I am no expert and I don't mean any offence to Dale or anyone else. Jay.

We have had many dozens of roundabouts installed in our community over the past 10 years. A few "mini's" right up to a couple of full 4 laners. Despite an intensive public education program lasting over a year, many still do not know how to drive through them or try to "beat the traffic' by speeding through them.

I also have to agree with Jay. When well meaning driver's "wave through" other drivers contrary to the laws of the road, it is not only confusing but dangerous and frustrating. The "helpful"" driver is only creating confusion and putting everybody else at risk.

I've just returned from a shopping trip with Mrs M to an out of town shopping development a few miles outside York, and we used the same route on outward and return journeys. I was reading this topic on my phone just before we set off for home. So in regard to this current obsession with roundabouts, I counted the number of roundabouts we had to negotiate on the trip home, it was 10.

The same roundabouts that are used by all motorists including semi's as you call them, coaches, buses, motorcyclists, and cyclists. There's heavy traffic using these roundabouts most of the time, and even more on sunny Sunday's and Public Holidays.

Nobody's fretting or worrying about using them, you get the odd impatient dickhead or dithering driver, and the odd minor collision, but by and large they work well.

Meldrew wrote:

I've just returned from a shopping trip with Mrs M to an out of town shopping development a few miles outside York, and we used the same route on outward and return journeys. I was reading this topic on my phone just before we set off for home. So in regard to this current obsession with roundabouts, I counted the number of roundabouts we had to negotiate on the trip home, it was 10.

The same roundabouts that are used by all motorists including semi's as you call them, coaches, buses, motorcyclists, and cyclists. There's heavy traffic using these roundabouts most of the time, and even more on sunny Sunday's and Public Holidays.

Nobody's fretting or worrying about using them, you get the odd impatient dickhead or dithering driver, and the odd minor collision, but by and large they work well.

I understand your point Meldrew. But in this country round-a-bouts are a fairly new thing and people are resistant to change. In a lot of instances I feel they are a big asset due to traffic just proceeding normally without having to stop. At very high volume areas I feel a traffic signal is a wiser/safer course. The codgers that STOP, as if it was a stop sign are the one that booger things up. And on truck/lorry routes I feel consideration should be made as to size. Our first one is TOO small for the big guys, they have to take both lanes to clear and if speed is a bit too high then they tip over. Happens quite a bit on that particular round.

When motoring in the Uk became available to most people in the late fifties and sixties, the Government used to produce public information films, these usually involved how to behave at junctions and traffic lights and, I recall, when to dip your headlights when other traffic was coming towards you. Maybe your authorities could try something similar.

Old Limey wrote:

When motoring in the Uk became available to most people in the late fifties and sixties, the Government used to produce public information films, these usually involved how to behave at junctions and traffic lights and, I recall, when to dip your headlights when other traffic was coming towards you. Maybe your authorities could try something similar.

Ever heard the saying; "You can lead a horse to water......."

We're still working on what Yield means.

Empty roundabouts are also good for practicing you cornering techniques, especially if they have been treated to a super sticky surface. However knee down on a scooter is a little superfluous and quite possible illegal lol.
But be careful out there till everyone has got the hang of them.

I ride in the USA every year or every other year and if you think roundabouts are difficult for American riders to get used to, I am still pretty much confused by the American 4 way junctions. I often sit there like a lemon, wondering when it is supposed to be my turn to go. The good news is that quite often drivers will wave me across before them, as they are considerate to motorcyclists, especially patient ones who are flying a largish Union Jack flag off the back of the bike!!

I am still pretty much confused by the American 4 way junctions. I often sit there like a lemon, wondering when it is supposed to be my turn to go.

4 way stops, 1st vehicle there has the right of way, then it goes right to the next, watch for twofers who think if one stops then goes they can also, not, each vehicle must stop and wait it's turn. BTW I think roundabouts are great providing everyone remembers t is now the vehicle on the lefts right away.

Ahhh, you have yet to sample the delights of roundabouts with traffic lights on them, apparently they 'smooth' the flow of traffic

In Swindon they have 'The Magic Roundabout' .......



Inside the main roundabout, it has 5 planetary roundabouts that travel clockwise, arrainged around a central roundabout that travels anticlcockwise

My brain hurts

What devious bastard thought that up?

Cosmic_Jumper wrote:

My brain hurts

What devious bastard thought that up?

The same one no doubt that thought up or traffic light system that has you sit there for as long as 2 1/2 minuets without a car crossing in front of you, but that dual roundy maybe a an effort in population control.

Indeed Tim, mine also bud. Apparently it actually works remarkably well, I've never tried it & unless I mess up on my navigation never will.
According to it's own Wiki' page it was designed by Frank Blackmore, there is no mention on the page of what he was smoking at the time.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magic_Roundabout_(Swindon)

UK's 10 scariest junctions

Gravelly Hill (Spaghetti Junction), Birmingham
M8 junctions through central Glasgow
Marble Arch, London
Magic Roundabout, Swindon, Wiltshire
Hanger Lane Gyratory, west London
M5/M6 intersection, Birmingham
Piccadilly Circus, London
Five Ways junction, Birmingham
Magic Roundabout, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire
Kingston Bridge, Glasgow

We also have some most excellently silly road signage, one of my favourites ...

It's been said that a camel is a horse which was designed by a committee. This magic roundabout thing must have been designed by politicians. Or maybe Timothy Leary.

One thing that can be done at intersections in the US (unless otherwise signed) is right on red, a good way of avoiding unnecessary tailbacks, that idea has been adopted on some UK roundabouts which have a left turn only 'slip road'

Little known, also LEFT on red, ONE way streets only and in some cases IF on a bike AND after a what ever a reasonable time go through the red. One local city here the natives routinely do the stop then go on red on lessor traveled streets with stop lights. I'm no a big fan of that and have learned to do work around's to get through town.

The Bern wrote:

In Swindon they have 'The Magic Roundabout' .......



Inside the main roundabout, it has 5 planetary roundabouts that travel clockwise, arrainged around a central roundabout that travels anticlcockwise

In my community with the number of drivers tat still do not understand how roundabouts work or how to successfully navigate them, that "Magic Roundabout" would be the daily demolition derby!

There's a 'Magic Roundabout' on the approach to Hemel Hempstead, a few miles North of London.
It, too, works very well and keeps traffic flowing.
The hardest part if one is going 'straight across' is deciding whether to go round clockwise or anti-clockwise.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wVeAhmvNFIU

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magic_Roundabout_(Hemel_Hempstead)

https://www.scoopnest.com/user/BBCArchive/827856747872153600-happy-70th-birthday-hemel-hempstead-take-a-look-around-the-old-new-town-with-its-amazing-magic-roundabout