So I'm sitting in traffic minding my business and

[Sistema1927]

The traffic circle/rotary/glorieta is a great way to keep traffic moving, but only if all the drivers know the rules. I once drove from one side of Madrid, Spain to the other without stopping even once. I think of that sometimes when I sit at a red traffic light with no other traffic.

 

[coltle6920]

Actually, we have one of those in Astoria, and there's rarely a problem with it. It was a big thing at first, but people have done real well since it went in. And, it fixed an intersection that was a major problem.

They can help with the general flow of traffic but...

I entered one the other night that was like doing a 360 in a two car driveway. Lack of proper signage and lighting makes them no better than a 4way stop.

 

[LVSteve]

Got to drive in Saigon so not much scares me. Unless one has driven in just about any Asian city they just don’t know, LOL.

Former coworker laughed off my complaints about Vegas drivers with, "You should try Cairo".

 

[coltle6920]

You Fellers ought drive a tractor on the highway from one field to another. My tractor has turn signals.........Which indicates to anyone behind me......IT"S TIME TO PASS....My tractor has a seat belt and ROPS.....I use both when on the highway.

Don't get out in the country much but every piece of heavy equipment I see on the road is using it's flashers only. When they decide to turn somewhere there is no warning but who's gonna argue with something twice your size.

 

[Heinz]

I like them. Every once in a while I will take an extra spin around the circle just to see if anyone is paying attention.

My wife used to get the giggles when I did that; I said that is why they are called "roundabouts"

 

[Protocall_Design]

I don't like the roundabouts here because they are small (maybe 30 - 40 feet wide in the middle) and they plant a garden filling up the whole center section. The plants grow up so you can't see anything on the other side to know what's coming. The soonest you can see anything is at 9 o'clock in the circle. That gives about a 1 second decision time whether to go or not. If you do go, and someone pops up, you have to floor it to keep from having an accident. You also can't see the exits ahead of time to plan your escape route. Some of them are set up so you have to change lanes in the middle of the roundabout to get where you're going. We have a lot of accidents because of that, but the city won't change anything.

A 4 way stop is way better because everyone stops (theoretically) and can see everyone else and has time to work out what to do. A lot of people around here can't process information on the run like you have to do in a roundabout.

 

[Greyman50]

Here in N. Florida everybody knows about Starke and Waldo on 301. Speed through these and you Will Get a Ticket. Years ago there were regular billboard signs warning of “speedtrap”before you got to town, LOL

 

[LostintheOzone]

In Albuquerque, you count "one one thousand, two one thou..." before proceeding after your light turns green. Notice that you don't complete the second "thousand" unless you want everyone behind you to honk at you.

Also, we have a continual shortage of "blinker fluid" here.

I've visited ABQ a few times. That's one of the things I first noticed. If the speed limit is 45 mph people will fly through the intersections on a red light at 45 mph. A cop car (city patrol car) was next to me when I witnessed that and they never went after the offender. No wonder they drive like that.

 

[glenwolde]

I don't like the roundabouts here because they are small (maybe 30 - 40 feet wide in the middle) and they plant a garden filling up the whole center section. The plants grow up so you can't see anything on the other side to know what's coming. The soonest you can see anything is at 9 o'clock in the circle. That gives about a 1 second decision time whether to go or not. If you do go, and someone pops up, you have to floor it to keep from having an accident. You also can't see the exits ahead of time to plan your escape route. Some of them are set up so you have to change lanes in the middle of the roundabout to get where you're going. We have a lot of accidents because of that, but the city won't change anything.

A 4 way stop is way better because everyone stops (theoretically) and can see everyone else and has time to work out what to do. A lot of people around here can't process information on the run like you have to do in a roundabout.

Sounds like those roundabouts need a little midnight Roundup....

I'm thinking an accomplice in the back seat, a big pump sprayer, and six times around the circle.

 

[Protocall_Design]

Hmmm...Interesting idea.

 

[LostintheOzone]

Police here very rarely enforce speed limits any more. A former police chief stated that the benefit of strict traffic law enforcement is the large number of people you stop who are engaged in other criminal activites ( illegal drugs, felon in possession, unserved warrants, etc.) rather than the actual slowing of traffic. Apparently the current administrators disagree.

And, yes, every red light must be run by at least one or two vehicles before opposing traffic can go.

They sheriffs deputies don't enforce those where I live either. Not sure why. I was told they're understaffed. I know it takes a loooog time for any response to a 911 call, like hours. The next time I call on a trespass (property posted) I'm just going to tell them the idiot is in danger so better zip on over here, pronto.

 

[TIMETRIPPER]

The traffic circle/rotary/glorieta is a great way to keep traffic moving, but only if all the drivers know the rules. I once drove from one side of Madrid, Spain to the other without stopping even once. I think of that sometimes when I sit at a red traffic light with no other traffic.
__________________

I agree 100%. I prefer them over traffic lights on less congested roads. But whether lights, stop signs or rotary's, the real problem is always bad drivers and that will never change.

On an aside; Perry county, just north of where I live, is largely rural and for years boasted of having no red lights whatsoever. Didn't mean they didn't need any. I think they were in a state of denial as they did have areas of heavy traffic congestion. Finally, a few years ago they had one installed.The conversation with my coworkers from that area usually went like this:

Disgruntled Perry county resident: Damn... they finally put a red light up on rt 15 in Marysville!

Me: And I hear that next year you'll get a green light to go with it.


John

 

[Walkin Horse]

First of all when entering a roundabout I look both ways.
Around here there is an absolute disregard for law enforcement and fellow drivers. Red light runners,people who sit through green lights. Pot smokers speeders and people with their headlights permanently on bright.
Lately the newest trend I noticed are people,whether making a left or right hand turn, slowing down in the straight lane. Then riding the dotted line with the brakes on until the last few feet then getting completely out of the way. This defeats the purpose of a turn lane.
People that don’t know the difference of merge and yield. People driving on the shoulder of an interstate during a traffic jam.
Last night I was backing into my parking spot. A young punk came zooming up as I was backing up. The idiot tried to go behind me but I anticipated his move and blocked him. Then he cut left to go in the oncoming lane. I pulled forward just enough to block him. It took me three tries back and forth to get straight and square in my parking place. When I finally got out of the way he was blocking oncoming traffic. I got a good Super Duty laugh from it.

 

[SMSgt]

The "cash cow for LE" does not exist. Traffic fines are general fund revenues for the government entity. The cops and LE agencies do not participate in traffic fine revenues (other than via budget processes).

When politicians decide to direct LE to generate revenues by targeted traffic enforcement, then the cash cow is born.

Apparently, you have never driven through Benton, TN. Notorious speed trap in its day. Think those LEOs thought they were donating to some state fund?

 

[bk42261]

Up here in Southern Maine, there was 4-way intersection with Flashing Yellow Lights on two sides and Flashing Red Lights on the other two.
Simple fix, IMO, Flashing Red on ALL sides.
Gubmint fix? Spend , if I remember correctly, $450,000 to install a "Roundabout"....
Your Tax Dollars hard at work.

 

[pantannojack]

I agree with some of the two wheeler's attitude that "If you hit me with your car, it is the same as if you shoot me with your gun." Broderick Crawford had a saying back in the "Highway Patrol" series: loosely quoted: " A person doesn't drive a car; He AIMS it." I stand with Texting While Driving should be delt with same as Driving Drunk. A drunk strives to be aware of cops as a fighter pilot watches for enemy fighters. A texter JUST DON'T GIVE A HOOT.

 

[pantannojack]

Up here in Southern Maine, there was 4-way intersection with Flashing Yellow Lights on two sides and Flashing Red Lights on the other two.
Simple fix, IMO, Flashing Red on ALL sides.
Gubmint fix? Spend , if I remember correctly, $450,000 to install a "Roundabout"....
Your Tax Dollars hard at work.

I vote for Defund all roundabouts; Go back to 4 way stops.

 

[llowry61]

I like them. Every once in a while I will take an extra spin around the circle just to see if anyone is paying attention.

Big Ben - Parliament .........

 

[cmj8591]

So people complain about traffic law violations. They come in front of the city council and complain. "The cops aren't doing their job what are we paying them for? They should be catching the speeders driving through my neighborhood." The chief orders the traffic division to do selective enforcement in the complaining neighborhood. Who do you think they catch speeding? The neighbors! Now they're a bunch of bums who should be out looking for real criminals. I've seen this more times than I can relate. So be careful what you wish for when it comes to traffic enforcement. As for those traffic cameras. They have absolutely nothing to do with traffic enforcement and everything to do with collecting money. They are just a round about way to toll a road.

 

[jrm53]

we have the round-abouts here in NW Ar they are only safe if they are only one lane not two lane you should only be able to turn right from the outside lane. i have been almost hit by a twit turning right from the inside lane I told my agent it should not be that way, he said look at the sign, he was right. Now they are removing the inside lane. Jeff