Tuesday, June 3, 2008

Turnabouts

So I have a question that no one seems to have an answer to:

You know those turnabout things in the road that are like intersections, but there is no stop sign? There are just yield signs on all four sides. You know the things I am talking about right? So my question is: What are the rules for navigating these things? I don't remember learning this in driver's ed. And it seems that no one else was taught this concept either. So if they are putting these things in all over the place, shouldn't we be taught how to navigate the darn things?

Bill and I have decided that the object is to just get through without hitting anyone or getting hit by someone else. I think we should all hold hands and do ring-around-the-rosies and everyone just gets out of the circle when they are at the street exiting the circle that they need to be on.

I know these little turnabouts are supposed to help keep traffic moving, but really everyone either A: completely stops because they are frozen and have no idea who is supposed to go first or if they are supposed to completely stop (as they look around shrugging their shoulders at all the other drivers because no one has any idea what is going on), or B: flies through it without even glancing around.

So, really, what are the rules? Do cars going from east to west, or north to south have the right-of-way? Is it like a 4-way stop where it is in order of who was there first? Or is it that you just close your eyes and fly through the thing and hope you are the biggest car around?

If anyone can enlighten me, please do so. I would greatly appreciate it, as would many others I have discussed this with. I'm really glad they have these little turnabouts with pretty flowers in the middle, but those flowers are going to soon be potpourri if we don't get this figured out quick.

10 comments:

Laurie said...

You are funny!

I have always treated it as-all traffic yields to each other and proceeds with caution. I will either stop or slow down before entering. I have never experienced a problem when driving in one.

I am not sure what would be considered correct.

Katherine said...

What a nut! you ave a great sense of humor!
They are actually called round-abouts and they are all over in Austrailia (Where Mike served his mission). The rules are, always turn right onto the round-about, yeilding to the traffic already on the round-about. Then you simply turn off when you get to the street that you want to be on. Unless of course you are used to them and fairly confident in your driving abilities. In which case, you would drive the circle three to five times as fast as you can and see if you can beat your last speed. Which is Mikes favorite thing to do on them. The kids love this form of using them as well.

Bilary said...

Thank you, Katherine. Now, would someone post the rules somewhere for all the other drivers out there!

Monkey Fingers and Toes said...

I have one that is on my way to work, with two lanes entering into the round-about. Everybody seems to think that if they are fastest, they can run you over. Hopefully someday drivers will learn to be cautious and polite. Wishful thinking.

Larsens said...

Yep, Roundabouts. The cars on your right go first.

flarffy2000 said...

Approaching The Roundabout
♦ Slow down and yield to pedestrians in the crosswalk. Then progress to the yield line.
♦ Look to the Left – Traffic in the roundabout has the right-of-way.
♦ Enter the roundabout when there is an adequate gap in the circulating traffic flow. Use the circulatory roadway, the
brick apron is to accommodate large trucks.
♦ If another car is waiting at the yield line ahead of you, do not stop in the crosswalk. Keep the crosswalk clear for
pedestrians.
♦ Bicyclists are permitted to ride within the roundabout and will be riding in the lane just as other vehicles do. Please
do not pass a bicycle in the roundabout.
Exiting The Roundabout
♦ Once you have entered the roundabout, you have the right-of-way. Proceed counter-clockwise to your exit.
♦ Exit the roundabout, using your right-turn signal. Be sure to yield to pedestrians in the crosswalk.

Angie said...

I would assume no one knows and you should always proceede with caution. Hopefully they will start teaching this technique in drivers ed so our kids can teach us how to drive!

Andrea said...

I think Americans have the idea that the biggest car wins. Not so.

We have tons of round-a-bouts here also. Just yield to the right and traffic that is already present in the circle. Even in England, where you drive on the left side of the road (as I had to remember to do recently), you still yield or "give way" to persons on the right. Here in Germany, you need to ALWAYS yield to the right unless it is not indicated that you are on a priority road. I hate that, because sometimes (more like all of the time) I need a sign to remind me to yield. It makes for interesting driving in new/strange towns.

Amy said...

I have a round-about right by my house. It has taken a few years but I think that I am getting used to it.

PB almost got into a fight with a man who thought that he had the right-of-way on the round-about when he did not. Oops!

Anonymous said...

You know, i've done quite a bit of thinking on this ever so difficult topic. Here's what i've decided and what i do. As i apporach said problem area, i slow down a little and observe the speed and flow of the occupying traffic, then, when i see a gap approaching, i calculate the neccessitated speed to enter said traffic flow, throw the hammer down, and force my way in, around, and out in no time. Problem solved. Sure, as i look in my rear view mirror there are a few people piled up in an accident, but i made it in and out in no time, what more could i ask for; after all, i'm the only person that matters right?