How to use a roundabout (also called a traffic circle)

MarkJerling · 11-24-2020, 04:54 PM - **7 Likes**

It often surprises me how many people struggle with this.

If you drive on the right hand side of the road, view this video:

You Tube

If you drive on the left side of the road, view this video:

You Tube

It appears many people struggle with knowing when to indicate left and right.

**c.a.m** · 11-24-2020, 05:09 PM

Originally posted by MarkJerling

If you drive on the right hand side of the road, view this video:

Hey, I recognize that video! (City of Ottawa).

Useful reminder, Mark.

We're getting more roundabouts here in Ottawa, and they're proving to be effective and generally less hazardous than traditional intersections. However, occasionally I encounter drivers who seem to be pressing hard on the petrol pedal and hoping for the best...

I must say that Canada has entered the modern traffic world with this intersection in Charlottetown, province of Prince Edward Island:

First-of-its-kind intersection in P.E.I. requires 11 instructional videos to explain | CTV News

- Craig

mkgd1 · 11-24-2020, 05:29 PM - **1 Like**

They are still pretty rare here, but I've been seeing more of them, especially in the Prescott AZ. area. The worst ones I ever drove on were in London If you somehow get on the inside lanes you might be stuck there for for several revolutions unless you have an old Landrover.

**MSL** · 11-24-2020, 05:32 PM - **1 Like**

We've got a few small ones not far from me - single lane, mainly designed to avoid 4 way stops. Some are okay, but since they were put after the roads were laid out and houses built and the dominant roads are up steep hills, one or two don't have great sight lines You can still see the odd driver now and then truly baffled how to drive these in a civil way.

**ChrisPlatt** · 11-24-2020, 05:34 PM - **1 Like**

Over time many I remember have been eliminated here. I think they confuse motorists.

We have a small traffic circle on my street just a couple blocks from my place.
It's a productive location for NY State Police and NYPD - to hand out tickets
to ignorant, inattentive or impatient fellow motorists - for failure to yield.

Chris

**luftfluss** · 11-24-2020, 05:42 PM - **2 Likes**

There were 2 traffic circles local to me that have since been replaced. Folks just couldn't handle them.

**Gorgarath** · 11-24-2020, 05:49 PM

Unless you live in NJ. Circles are a pain in the ass there. It varies depending on circle as to who has the right of way. Some the entering traffic has the right of way, some the traffic in the circle, and some, it depends which entrance/exit as to who has the right of way.

**luftfluss** · 11-24-2020, 05:50 PM - **1 Like**

Also

Youtu.be

**ChrisPlatt** · 11-24-2020, 05:53 PM

Originally posted by luftfluss

There were 2 traffic circles local to me that have since been replaced. Folks just couldn't handle them.

Aren't you in New Jersey, home of the "jug handle"?

Chris

**luftfluss** · 11-24-2020, 06:12 PM

Originally posted by ChrisPlatt

Aren't you in New Jersey, home of the "jug handle"?

Chris

Why, yes I am! And folks have trouble with those, too! Even when traffic signs are explicit.

automorphism · 11-24-2020, 06:29 PM

I have had the privilege of driving through both left-hand and right-hand roundabouts. They are pretty common in Australia and less common in Canada. Personally I like driving on the left a little better.....

MarkJerling · 11-24-2020, 06:40 PM

Originally posted by luftfluss

Folks just couldn't handle them.

I can't imagine why. They are really the best way of getting cars through an intersection without causing traffic jams.

MarkJerling · 11-24-2020, 06:41 PM

Originally posted by Gorgarath

Unless you live in NJ. Circles are a pain in the ass there. It varies depending on circle as to who has the right of way. Some the entering traffic has the right of way, some the traffic in the circle, and some, it depends which entrance/exit as to who has the right of way.

That's just plain daft. Traffic in the circle should always have right of way.

**BigDave** · 11-24-2020, 06:42 PM

I think they go through phases. They are a good idea, mostly, but simpleton drivers find them confusing. The short videos is all they need to keep in mind (and not be on their phones!). I think once too many accidents (wrecks for you folks in the Southeast US) happen, they go to other traffic control designs, eventually coming back to the traffic Circle or Round About after another 20 or 30 years!

MarkJerling · 11-24-2020, 06:42 PM

Originally posted by ChrisPlatt

Over time many I remember have been eliminated here. I think they confuse motorists.

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11-24-2020, 05:09 PM	#2
c.a.m Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Ottawa, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,189	Originally posted by MarkJerling If you drive on the right hand side of the road, view this video: Hey, I recognize that video! (City of Ottawa). Useful reminder, Mark. We're getting more roundabouts here in Ottawa, and they're proving to be effective and generally less hazardous than traditional intersections. However, occasionally I encounter drivers who seem to be pressing hard on the petrol pedal and hoping for the best... I must say that Canada has entered the modern traffic world with this intersection in Charlottetown, province of Prince Edward Island: First-of-its-kind intersection in P.E.I. requires 11 instructional videos to explain \| CTV News - Craig

11-24-2020, 05:29 PM - 1 Like	#3
mkgd1 Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2019 Location: Mohave county Arizona Photos: Albums Posts: 1,076	They are still pretty rare here, but I've been seeing more of them, especially in the Prescott AZ. area. The worst ones I ever drove on were in London If you somehow get on the inside lanes you might be stuck there for for several revolutions unless you have an old Landrover.

11-24-2020, 05:32 PM - 1 Like	#4
MSL Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Greater Toronto Area Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,749	We've got a few small ones not far from me - single lane, mainly designed to avoid 4 way stops. Some are okay, but since they were put after the roads were laid out and houses built and the dominant roads are up steep hills, one or two don't have great sight lines You can still see the odd driver now and then truly baffled how to drive these in a civil way.

11-24-2020, 05:34 PM - 1 Like	#5
ChrisPlatt Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Rockaway Beach NYC Posts: 7,692	Over time many I remember have been eliminated here. I think they confuse motorists. We have a small traffic circle on my street just a couple blocks from my place. It's a productive location for NY State Police and NYPD - to hand out tickets to ignorant, inattentive or impatient fellow motorists - for failure to yield. Chris

11-24-2020, 05:42 PM - 2 Likes	#6
luftfluss Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: NJ Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,619	There were 2 traffic circles local to me that have since been replaced. Folks just couldn't handle them.

11-24-2020, 05:49 PM	#7
Gorgarath Total n00b Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 735	Unless you live in NJ. Circles are a pain in the ass there. It varies depending on circle as to who has the right of way. Some the entering traffic has the right of way, some the traffic in the circle, and some, it depends which entrance/exit as to who has the right of way.

11-24-2020, 05:53 PM	#9
ChrisPlatt Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Rockaway Beach NYC Posts: 7,692	Originally posted by luftfluss There were 2 traffic circles local to me that have since been replaced. Folks just couldn't handle them. Aren't you in New Jersey, home of the "jug handle"? Chris

11-24-2020, 06:12 PM	#10
luftfluss Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: NJ Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,619	Originally posted by ChrisPlatt Aren't you in New Jersey, home of the "jug handle"? Chris Why, yes I am! And folks have trouble with those, too! Even when traffic signs are explicit.

11-24-2020, 06:29 PM	#11
automorphism Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Ontario, Canada Photos: Albums Posts: 791	I have had the privilege of driving through both left-hand and right-hand roundabouts. They are pretty common in Australia and less common in Canada. Personally I like driving on the left a little better.....

11-24-2020, 06:40 PM	#12
MarkJerling Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: May 2012 Location: Wairarapa, New Zealand Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 20,406 Original Poster	Originally posted by luftfluss Folks just couldn't handle them. I can't imagine why. They are really the best way of getting cars through an intersection without causing traffic jams.

11-24-2020, 06:41 PM	#13
MarkJerling Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: May 2012 Location: Wairarapa, New Zealand Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 20,406 Original Poster	Originally posted by Gorgarath Unless you live in NJ. Circles are a pain in the ass there. It varies depending on circle as to who has the right of way. Some the entering traffic has the right of way, some the traffic in the circle, and some, it depends which entrance/exit as to who has the right of way. That's just plain daft. Traffic in the circle should always have right of way.

11-24-2020, 06:42 PM	#14
BigDave Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Hudson Valley, NY Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,626	I think they go through phases. They are a good idea, mostly, but simpleton drivers find them confusing. The short videos is all they need to keep in mind (and not be on their phones!). I think once too many accidents (wrecks for you folks in the Southeast US) happen, they go to other traffic control designs, eventually coming back to the traffic Circle or Round About after another 20 or 30 years!

11-24-2020, 06:42 PM	#15
MarkJerling Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: May 2012 Location: Wairarapa, New Zealand Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 20,406 Original Poster	Originally posted by ChrisPlatt Over time many I remember have been eliminated here. I think they confuse motorists.