Roundabout Accident

[rhood]

I was going straight through a roundabout and a car exiting from the left hand lane turned right in front of me to exit. I had no option but to hit that car. WTF, since when do you turn right from the left hand lane in front of another car?

[Keefelane66]

What did the Sheriff rule?

[coffeebean]

I was going straight through a roundabout and a car exiting from the left hand lane turned right in front of me to exit. I had no option but to hit that car. WTF, since when do you turn right from the left hand lane in front of another car?

Same thing happened to me a few weeks ago. The driver actually sped up while in the left lane and cut right in front of me (in the outer lane) to exit the RAB. I slammed on my brakes and avoided an accident. That driver went on his merry way and did not even give it a second thought that he did a really dumb move and had a near miss.

[Babubhat]

You need a video camera. Other bone head hit us in rear in round about and still disputed fault with video. Disgusted. They are inexpensive and a must.

Sheriff rules nothing if not witnessed it

[Pairadocs]

I was going straight through a roundabout and a car exiting from the left hand lane turned right in front of me to exit. I had no option but to hit that car. WTF, since when do you turn right from the left hand lane in front of another car?

Well, sadly, it happens much more than anyone would ever guess ! Happened to us just a couple days before Christmas at round-about nearest Savannah center and Glen View club. Don't know how we managed to avoid collision, though we KNOW to expect that ! Don't want to blame ever "evil" on "snowbirds", but have to admit it does happen more often during the "winter"...perhaps just due to more people, not where they are from or how they are used to using roundabouts ! ? Just a casual observation, but it also appears there are HUGE numbers of people who not know the significance of solid, versus "dotted" lines on any roadway, go figure ? Thought that would be rather consistent no matter what state (or even country ?) they are from ? Also, must be a huge inconsistency in each state's laws regarding CROSS WALKS. Apparently, the rules of the road in some states must not require autos to stop when individuals are IN the cross walk...or at last it seems so (?)

[Dotneko]

I was going straight through a roundabout and a car exiting from the left hand lane turned right in front of me to exit. I had no option but to hit that car. WTF, since when do you turn right from the left hand lane in front of another car?

Sounds like you may not have yielded to cars on the rotary when entering. If he was already on the rotary and you were entering, you needed to yield.

[Kelevision]

Sounds like you may not have yielded to cars on the rotary when entering. If he was already on the rotary and you were entering, you needed to yield.

There are signs posted at every round a bout for the inside lane to only go straight and the right lane is allowed to turn right. That person turning right from the left lane is at fault regardless. I see on any given day people switching lanes while driving around the curve. That’s not okay either.

[bagboy]

I was going straight through a roundabout and a car exiting from the left hand lane turned right in front of me to exit. I had no option but to hit that car. WTF, since when do you turn right from the left hand lane in front of another car?

They can "turn right" as you call it when they are proceeding straight through the roundabout from the entrance on your left. You should have stayed far enough back to allow them to turn.

[Dotneko]

There are signs posted at every round a bout for the inside lane to only go straight and the right lane is allowed to turn right. That person turning right from the left lane is at fault regardless. I see on any given day people switching lanes while driving around the curve. That’s not okay either.

We dont know that the left lane person wasnt changing into the right lane to exit assuming the OP would yield as he should. If you enter the RAB at 12 oclock, and want to exit at 3 oclock, you have to execute a lane change between 6 oclock and 3 oclock. That assumes that no one is occupying the right lane.....I read it that the OP was entering at 6 oclock. He should have yielded.

How else would someone coming from 12 oclock exit at 3 oclock if they DIDNT execute a lane change on the curve??

[Laker14]

I was going straight through a roundabout and a car exiting from the left hand lane turned right in front of me to exit. I had no option but to hit that car. WTF, since when do you turn right from the left hand lane in front of another car?

There are signs posted at every round a bout for the inside lane to only go straight and the right lane is allowed to turn right. That person turning right from the left lane is at fault regardless. I see on any given day people switching lanes while driving around the curve. That’s not okay either.

Check out this link"
https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/villages-florida-general-discussion-73/how-navigate-roundabouts-155158/

A car entering the roundabout from the left lane of traffic may exit from the left lane of traffic at any exit OTHER THAN the first exit. And should because it should not change lanes within the roundabout.

a car entering from the right lane of traffic must yield to the car in the roundabout in the left lane, in case that car exits from the left lane onto the first exit to the right of the entering car.
.

[golfing eagles]

I was going straight through a roundabout and a car exiting from the left hand lane turned right in front of me to exit. I had no option but to hit that car. WTF, since when do you turn right from the left hand lane in front of another car?

Answer----when it is NOT turning "right" from the left hand lane. If you were going straight thru the RB (ie: 180 degrees in the right lane), then anyone in the left lane must have already been in the RB, probably going 270 from the entrance straight across from you or going straight through from the first exit to your left. In either case, that driver is correct in using the left lane to go either 180 or 270 and then exiting. If there is a 2 lane exit he does not need to change lanes. By description, it sounds like you entered the RB while a car was coming around from your left in the inner lane, in which case this was 100% your fault. You may not enter a RB when traffic is coming in EITHER lane.

[Retiring]

Same thing happened to me a few weeks ago. The driver actually sped up while in the left lane and cut right in front of me (in the outer lane) to exit the RAB. I slammed on my brakes and avoided an accident. That driver went on his merry way and did not even give it a second thought that he did a really dumb move and had a near miss.

Maybe it was the same driver. The EXACT same thing happened to me couple months ago. The driver was a very young lady, maybe a teenager. The maneuver was insane.

[Rainger99]

From reading these posts, it appears that a lot of people have no idea how to drive in a roundabout.

[Davonu]

Traffic in the left lane approaching a roundabout may LEGALLY go straight through the roundabout or exit after a 270 degree turn. Either maneuver requires a legal exit from the inside lane.

It appears the OP did not yield to a vehicle already in the roundabout.

[Bogie Shooter]

Answer----when it is NOT turning "right" from the left hand lane. If you were going straight thru the RB (ie: 180 degrees in the right lane), then anyone in the left lane must have already been in the RB, probably going 270 from the entrance straight across from you or going straight through from the first exit to your left. In either case, that driver is correct in using the left lane to go either 180 or 270 and then exiting. If there is a 2 lane exit he does not need to change lanes. By description, it sounds like you entered the RB while a car was coming around from your left in the inner lane, in which case this was 100% your fault. You may not enter a RB when traffic is coming in EITHER lane.
Would like OP to respond to this post.
Asking for a friend.

[VApeople]

Sounds like you may not have yielded to cars on the rotary when entering. If he was already on the rotary and you were entering, you needed to yield.

Yes, I think you are exactly right.

[DARFAP]

What did the official replay review show?

[Bill14564]

We dont know that the left lane person wasnt changing into the right lane to exit assuming the OP would yield as he should. If you enter the RAB at 12 oclock, and want to exit at 3 oclock, you have to execute a lane change between 6 oclock and 3 oclock. That assumes that no one is occupying the right lane.....I read it that the OP was entering at 6 oclock. He should have yielded.

How else would someone coming from 12 oclock exit at 3 oclock if they DIDNT execute a lane change on the curve??

NEVER change lanes in a roundabout.

You DO NOT need to execute a lane change between 6 oclock and 3 oclock to exit the roundabout, you just need to enter in the left lane and exit in the left lane.

[Florida Fan]

Well, sadly, it happens much more than anyone would ever guess ! Happened to us just a couple days before Christmas at round-about nearest Savannah center and Glen View club. Don't know how we managed to avoid collision, though we KNOW to expect that ! Don't want to blame ever "evil" on "snowbirds", but have to admit it does happen more often during the "winter"...perhaps just due to more people, not where they are from or how they are used to using roundabouts ! ? Just a casual observation, but it also appears there are HUGE numbers of people who not know the significance of solid, versus "dotted" lines on any roadway, go figure ? Thought that would be rather consistent no matter what state (or even country ?) they are from ? Also, must be a huge inconsistency in each state's laws regarding CROSS WALKS. Apparently, the rules of the road in some states must not require autos to stop when individuals are IN the cross walk...or at last it seems so (?)

If you are the same person that posted this same scenario on Next Door, YOU are the one that was in the wrong. You said you were in the outside lane going 3/4's the way around. Maybe you should learn the roundabout rules.

[sloanst]

I was going straight through a roundabout and a car exiting from the left hand lane turned right in front of me to exit. I had no option but to hit that car. WTF, since when do you turn right from the left hand lane in front of another car?

How to navigate a round about is posted on a sign at every entrance. Not hard to understand.

[Two Bills]

OP just arriving at roundabout.
Slow down.
Car just coming from left in inside lane
Outside lane clear, lets go for it.
:boom:
:ohdear:
Wish I had obeyed the 'Yield' sign!

[hoot2602]

You better get yourself educated on RAB rules. You hit a car trying to exit from inside lane...you have to yield to them. General rule: if you want to exit at first exit, enter RAB in outside lane; if you want to exit at second exit you can go into RAB in
inside or outside lane; if you want to exit at third exit, go into RAB at inside lane. Car in outside lane must yield to cars in inside lane. You were wrong!

[Koapaka]

Which is why we have a rear/front windshield cam. Too much nonsense and too many people unaware or unwilling to drive correctly. The fact they can save you way more than they cost in a single case with your insurance company should tell ya they are worth their weight in gold. Beyond so when it is a he said/she said type of incident occurs, both in roundabouts and parking lots where it seems to be the wild, wild west given certain times of the year.

[Romad]

Which driver crossed a line and didn’t yield?

All of the crashes are caused by drivers failing to yield when entering the circle and going left from the outside lane. I have yet to see a circle where a driver on the inside lane is required to yield whether going straight or exiting left, and in some cases also have the right away exiting right (Lake Miona going south on Buena Vista).

Garmin sells good cameras to video people failing to yield and causing “accidents.”

[Kelevision]

We dont know that the left lane person wasnt changing into the right lane to exit assuming the OP would yield as he should. If you enter the RAB at 12 oclock, and want to exit at 3 oclock, you have to execute a lane change between 6 oclock and 3 oclock. That assumes that no one is occupying the right lane.....I read it that the OP was entering at 6 oclock. He should have yielded.

How else would someone coming from 12 oclock exit at 3 oclock if they DIDNT execute a lane change on the curve??

There are literally signs explaining what you can and cannot do in each lane before entering the round about. If you’re in the inside (left) lane, the arrow states you can continue going through the roundabout and the outside (right) lane has an arrow that states you can go straight, OR turn right. It’s the exact same as any road. You wouldn’t turn right from the middle lane. You’d go to the right lane. But, in any case, the signs explain it.

[Kelevision]

You better get yourself educated on RAB rules. You hit a car trying to exit from inside lane...you have to yield to them. General rule: if you want to exit at first exit, enter RAB in outside lane; if you want to exit at second exit you can go into RAB in
inside or outside lane; if you want to exit at third exit, go into RAB at inside lane. Car in outside lane must yield to cars in inside lane. You were wrong!

These are the rules…….Drivers entering the roundabout must yield to traffic already in the circle and are directed in one-way, counterclockwise direction. For multi-lane roundabouts, stay in the left lane to turn left and the right lane to turn right, and all lanes to go through, unless otherwise directed by signs or pavement markings. No the outside car doesn’t yield to the inside car trying to turn right from the inside lane.

[Kelevision]

Holy moly, I cannot believe how many of you think it’s okay for the inside, left lane to turn right through a RAB. Jeez, no wonder there’s so many accidents.

[golfing eagles]

Holy moly, I cannot believe how many of you think it’s okay for the inside, left lane to turn right through a RAB. Jeez, no wonder there’s so many accidents.

They are NOT turning "right". If they are proceeding 180 or 270 degrees, they can be in the left (inner) lane---for 270 they MUST be in the inner lane. Exiting in accordance with the signage is NOT turning right from the "left" lane. Perhaps it would help some people understand if we exclusively used "inner and outer" rather than "left and right" within a RB. The problem arises when somebody enters a RB when traffic is coming around in EITHER lane. This leads to the scenario described by the OP. The other problem comes when some yahoo tries to go to the third exit in the outer lane, which btw I have seen three times this past week----I will not stir the pot by mentioning what state issued the license plates.

[GizmoWhiskers]

Sounds like you may not have yielded to cars on the rotary when entering. If he was already on the rotary and you were entering, you needed to yield.
Exactly. Not all roundabouts have solid lines. Dotted lines allow cars entering to turn into the roundabouts and to decide which lane they need to be in to continue around the roundabout. "Residents" need to switch lanes sometimes to enter the "resident" gate lane so they cross over from left to right. ALWAYS presume that the car already in the roundabout to your left IS going to cut to the right as a "resident" and you will avoid t-boning them. This IS an over 55 community with public roads, you would think people would expect slower speeds in the roundabouts (its 20 mph in the roundabouts and 35 on mainroads like Morse and Buena Vista) . There is definite confusion as to which cars follow the dotted lines. Most roundabouts show arrows as to which lane to "hold" but not all. Just presume they are going to shift right. Leave the space.

[Byte1]

Exactly why there should ONLY be one lane in the RABs. New folks as well as old residents will continue to argue how to manipulate the two lanes. Sure it would slow down traffic in the Villages. Sure it would stop some folks from taking short cuts through the Villages. The Villages is a retirement community, thus no one should be in a hurry to begin with. One lane of traffic in the circles would probably stop most of the accidents in the Villages.

[Get real]

Make it really simple. Take the traffic circle out of the equation. Now make it a normal intersection. Visualize that and proceed as you would. Unless you would make a right turn from a left lane.

[richinfl]

Many of the round-a-bouts have 2 lanes exiting, which have a broken lane between them. You are entering the person's lane beside you when you cross the broken line. Just like on a highway, which has a broken line between the two lanes, you must stay in your lane or yield to the person in the adjacent lane. When you enter the Savannah Center round-a-bout headed south, there are two lanes which lead to the Glenview golf course. If you are in the outside lane, the person in the inside lane has right of way to leave the circle headed to Glenview, as you are crossing a broken line moving into his/her lane. If the line is SOLID, you must exit, you are not allowed to cross a solid line, but you must yield if the line is broken. If you hit the person in the inside lane, you should be ticketed. Just rules of the road.

[Captainpd]

There are signs posted at every round a bout for the inside lane to only go straight and the right lane is allowed to turn right. That person turning right from the left lane is at fault regardless. I see on any given day people switching lanes while driving around the curve. That’s not okay either.

If there is a dashed line, the inside lane Can turn right

[Arctic Fox]

"That person turning right from the left lane is at fault regardless."

So how do you expect anyone in the left lane to ever get off the roundabout?

It is the person behind who should be giving the vehicle in front sufficient room to make a signaled maneuver.

When entering a two-lane roundabout, assume that someone in the inside lane may want to leave it before your turn, and join/proceed accordingly.

[Captainpd]

Holy moly, I cannot believe how many of you think it’s okay for the inside, left lane to turn right through a RAB. Jeez, no wonder there’s so many accidents.

It is legal.... read the signs and pay attention to the line markings. A dashed line makes the right turn legal.

[lpkruege1]

I was going straight through a roundabout and a car exiting from the left hand lane turned right in front of me to exit. I had no option but to hit that car. WTF, since when do you turn right from the left hand lane in front of another car?

See Section 5.17 Roundabouts
Florida Driver Handbook | Roundabouts (https://www.lowestpricetrafficschool.com/handbooks/driver/en/5/17#content)

[wfp113]

Golfing Eagles answer is 100 % correct.

[forebubba]

I was going straight through a roundabout and a car exiting from the left hand lane turned right in front of me to exit. I had no option but to hit that car. WTF, since when do you turn right from the left hand lane in front of another car?

Right after you turn left from the right lane

[MandoMan]

I was going straight through a roundabout and a car exiting from the left hand lane turned right in front of me to exit. I had no option but to hit that car. WTF, since when do you turn right from the left hand lane in front of another car?

You had no option? Then you were going too fast. Don’t you look at the signs in front of the roundabout? Don’t you look at the paint on the blacktop? If you are in the right lane entering a roundabout here, you only have right-of-way to the FIRST right turn (and someone who turns right from the left lane by entering your lane would be wrong, but okay if he or she turned right from left lane to left lane without entering your lane).

If you plan to turn right at the SECOND or THIRD exit, you are supposed to shift to the LEFT hand lane BEFORE you reach the roundabout. You didn’t. In any case, the car you hit was making a legal turn, and you failed to yield. Now, of course, this happens pretty often here, and those of us who follow the signs have to be constantly alert for drivers like you who don’t pay attention and don’t read signs. This is about as serious as running a stop sign.

I’m sorry you were in an accident, but I hope you were found at fault and that your insurance company has to pay for the damage to the other car. Constant vigilance is important at our wonderful roundabouts, which save us so much time. Even if you are following the signs and painted lines, it’s important to use turn signals to indicate your intentions, especially if you are in the left lane turning right. I try to pay close attention to a car on my right if I’m in the left lane in a roundabout. Most people know the rules, but far too many are asleep at the wheel. If I’m caught in the right lane but need to go to the second exit, I realize I don’t have right-of-way and look for cars in the left lane that might be making a legal right turn.

[Marathon Man]

There seems to be a lot of confusion expressed here.

First of all, exiting the roundabout is not the same as changing lanes. The car in the inner lane crosses the outer lane as it exits. That's not a lane change.

Second, the car in the outer lane must yield to a car exiting from the inner lane. The OP is at fault for not yielding.

[mkjelenbaas]

I was going straight through a roundabout and a car exiting from the left hand lane turned right in front of me to exit. I had no option but to hit that car. WTF, since when do you turn right from the left hand lane in front of another car?
In TV that is what is called a daily occurrence- especially this time of year - it is also called defensive driving on your part.

[Laker14]

Since we haven't heard from the OP since the OP, I'm thinking this was either a troll, or he has realized he messed up.

https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/villages-florida-general-discussion-73/how-navigate-roundabouts-155158/

This is a screenshot from the linked thread. Please, note: car entering at 6:00, exiting at 9:00. EXITS FROM THE LEFT LANE.

If you are entering the RAB at 12:00, and see this car already in the RAB, to your left, you must anticipate that this car will be making that exit and YIELD the right-of-way to it. If you enter next to that car and it hits you on its way from THE LEFT LANE onto the 9:00 exit, YOU screwed up, not the car making the exit.

[ithos]

already posted

[Two Bills]

So many posting 'yield' to the car exiting the roundabout.
No one should have to yield in the roundabout, except in emegency.
You yield to cars on left, before entering roundabout.
It really is so simple!

[djlnc]

If you plan to turn right at the SECOND or THIRD exit, you are supposed to shift to the LEFT hand lane BEFORE you reach the roundabout.

.

Wrong. You only need to enter in the left lane if you are going past the second exit. I think your previous paragraph is wrong also, but it's too confusing to be sure.

[Bay Kid]

Roundabouts are great for speeding up traffic. Stoplights slow down traffic and fewer accidents. Just an opinion.

[ithos]

This should resolve most of the disagreements.

Choose your lane:
Approaching a two lane roundabout, make a lane choice
according to the following rules:
• If you intend to exit the roundabout more than halfway
around, use the LEFT-HAND lane.
• If you intend to exit the roundabout less than halfway
around, use the RIGHT-HAND lane.
• If you intend to continue straight through, use either
lane unless signs or markings indicate otherwise.
Navigating Roundabouts
• Move up to the entrance line and wait for a gap in
traffic. DO NOT ENTER next to a vehicle in the roundabout, as that vehicle may be exiting at the next exit.
• Within the roundabout, do not stop except to avoid a
collision; you have the right-of-way over entering
traffic. Keep moving in a counterclockwise direction.
• Do not change lanes in a roundabout.
• A striped channelization island is present in several
roundabouts, which reduces the circulatory roadway to
one lane approaching a single-lane exit.

[rsmurano]

“You can’t fix stupid”. The roundabouts are all the same anywhere in the United States that I have been thru, so you can’t blame it on localities of individuals.
Some of the roundabouts have a solid white line which means the outside line cannot cross it but people do. Everybody entering a roundabout has to yield to people in any lane in a roundabout.
Also, a sheriff can make a decision without video proof, they do this 99% of the time.

[djlnc]

I was going straight through a roundabout and a car exiting from the left hand lane turned right in front of me to exit. I had no option but to hit that car. WTF, since when do you turn right from the left hand lane in front of another car?

This is why I generally try to use the outside lane if I'm going straight through. I'd be afraid of someone t-boning me when I exit, and it's not always easy to see if someone is over there in the outside lane.
The amount of misinformation here is staggering. I'm afraid to get into a roundabout at all now.
Happy New Year!

[bark4me]

I was going straight through a roundabout and a car exiting from the left hand lane turned right in front of me to exit. I had no option but to hit that car. WTF, since when do you turn right from the left hand lane in front of another car?
Exactly. Since when can you turn right from the left lane or left from the right lane! Hopefully the other driver was cited

[bark4me]

You need a video camera. Other bone head hit us in rear in round about and still disputed fault with video. Disgusted. They are inexpensive and a must.

Sheriff rules nothing if not witnessed it
Well that's not entirely true. LEO can still make charges especially when there are independent witnesses. However if if there are conflicting statements not citing is always a possibility

[bark4me]

They can "turn right" as you call it when they are proceeding straight through the roundabout from the entrance on your left. You should have stayed far enough back to allow them to turn.
Not if they entered the RAB where you did. The outside lane can exit at the 1st or 2nd intersection. Inside lane can only exit at the 2nd and 3rd intersection

[bark4me]

Unfortunately most people drive with what as known as Cerebral Rectal Inversion.

[Southwest737]

Me so confused. 🤣
Happy New Year. Stay vigilant.

[Manders]

I was going straight through a roundabout and a car exiting from the left hand lane turned right in front of me to exit. I had no option but to hit that car. WTF, since when do you turn right from the left hand lane in front of another car?

As my dad told me years ago when I started drive.

Me, after a car cut me off , “but I had the right away?!?!”
Dad “I’ll put that in your tombstone”

Drive defensively

[Toymeister]

I was going straight through a roundabout and a car exiting from the left hand lane turned right in front of me to exit. I had no option but to hit that car. WTF, since when do you turn right from the left hand lane in front of another car?

You have been here nearly twelve years and you still do not know how to navigate a round about? That is the WTF moment here, not that you failed to yeild to a driver's who was properly navigating a round about.

[Toymeister]

Holy moly, I cannot believe how many of you think it’s okay for the inside, left lane to turn right through a RAB. Jeez, no wonder there’s so many accidents.

Actually, so many accidents occur because they are just as ignorant of how to operate in a roundabout as you are. It's tough to hear that, it is the brutal truth and why the OP received a ticket for failure to yeild.

[28carl]

When I learned to drive in NY many years ago i was taught never assume the other driver will do what is required or expected....thats worked for me for many years

[Indydealmaker]

We dont know that the left lane person wasnt changing into the right lane to exit assuming the OP would yield as he should. If you enter the RAB at 12 oclock, and want to exit at 3 oclock, you have to execute a lane change between 6 oclock and 3 oclock. That assumes that no one is occupying the right lane.....I read it that the OP was entering at 6 oclock. He should have yielded.

How else would someone coming from 12 oclock exit at 3 oclock if they DIDNT execute a lane change on the curve??

First of all: you never enter at 12. Always 6. The clockface rotates depending upon which direction you are coming from. 12 is always your "straight" route.

2nd, you never change lanes inside a roundabout.

Just remember to maintain 20 mph; don't enter if you can see another car on your side of the circle; and remember right lanes can only exit on their first or second; left lane can never take their first exit, but can take 2, 3 and 4.

Key is to always remember the clock rotates. Easy Peasy.

[Jokomo]

Holy moly, I cannot believe how many of you think it’s okay for the inside, left lane to turn right through a RAB. Jeez, no wonder there’s so many accidents.

You are wrong sir. Please find and read the rules.

[johnboy]

Unfortunately that is what is allowed in our crazy round about. If you look at the stripping the vehicle on the inside lane has the right of way to make a right hand turn in front of the vehicle in the right lane.

[Dotneko]

First of all: you never enter at 12. Always 6. The clockface rotates depending upon which direction you are coming from. 12 is always your "straight" route.

2nd, you never change lanes inside a roundabout.

Just remember to maintain 20 mph; don't enter if you can see another car on your side of the circle; and remember right lanes can only exit on their first or second; left lane can never take their first exit, but can take 2, 3 and 4.

Key is to always remember the clock rotates. Easy Peasy.

In reference to the OP, who entered at 6, I was indicating what the person who entered at 12 could possibly do. Easy peasy.
If I enter the rotary at a one lane entrance (Cason Hammock for example) I am put on the outside lane. If I want to go north on Meggison, 3/4 of the way around, I must change to the inside lane. There are exceptions to the dont change lanes on the rotary rule depending on the lines on the road.

[Buckeye Bill]

Happy New year to all. Thought I’d related something that happened to us. While parked in Publix several weeks ago our car was hit. Did the responsible person stop …..NO. The incident was recorded on tape from the store . Apparently the person backed up to go the wrong way in the row. The police told us that this is a no fault state and there was nothing to be done. Well ok but I was always taught to take responsibility for my actions guess I’m wrong. But this might be what’s wrong with this world.

[larcha]

There are a few key things to remember about driving through roundabouts:

Yield to drivers in already in the roundabout (on the circulating roadway)
Stay in your lane; do not change lanes
Do not stop in the roundabout
Avoid driving next to oversize vehicles
Want to learn more? We have a video available online:

How to drive a roundabout - YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V2nQ__1YJps

You can also download Rules of the Roundabout brochure, Rules of the Roundabout (PDF 408KB)
https://wsdot.wa.gov/sites/default/files/2021-12/Spiral-roundabout-handout.pdf

[Sunny923!]

Lane changes are not allowed in the circle

[Davonu]

There are a few key things to remember about driving through roundabouts:

Yield to drivers in already in the roundabout (on the circulating roadway)
Stay in your lane; do not change lanes
Do not stop in the roundabout
Avoid driving next to oversize vehicles…
Good list, but one change should be made…

Avoid driving next to ALL vehicles.

[jimmy o]

I was going straight through a roundabout and a car exiting from the left hand lane turned right in front of me to exit. I had no option but to hit that car. WTF, since when do you turn right from the left hand lane in
front of another car?
Any car wanting a left turn must use the left lane of a RaB, and then exit from that left lane. Those are the rules. You should never enter a RaB next to another car unless you are making an immediate right. I recommend taking a class on RaB usage.

[Vermilion Villager]

I was going straight through a roundabout and a car exiting from the left hand lane turned right in front of me to exit. I had no option but to hit that car. WTF, since when do you turn right from the left hand lane in front of another car?

The controlling phrase. You hit him.

[Tyson]

I was going straight through a roundabout and a car exiting from the left hand lane turned right in front of me to exit. I had no option but to hit that car. WTF, since when do you turn right from the left hand lane in front of another car?
These idiots down here do that all the time. They also go around a roundabout from the right hand lane turning into cars in the left lane going straight.

[TNKYGAL]

The confusion about roundabouts always perplexes me. With a few simple rules - yield to cars already in the roundabout, never change lanes in a roundabout, follow the signage - roundabouts provide an effective way to move traffic.
Here is yet another video that explains correct traffic flow well.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8wIoR7fpPJM

Because leaving a roundabout is accomplished from both inside and outside lanes, it is not the same as a "right turn". BEFORE entering the roundabout, think of it as a stop sign or traffic light. If turning right, you need to be in the right lane. If going straight through, you can be in either lane. And if turning left, you must be in the left lane. Then never change lanes in the circle, meaning you exit from the lane you begin in.
Also remember that there is both North/South and East/West traffic at most roundabouts, all following the same rules from the point at which they enter. So If I'm entering while going North and look and see a car coming in either lane, that car may have just entered from the west and can legally proceed straight across to the exit from either lane, so I must yield to them.
Lastly, it does not make it okay to change lanes inside the circle because a resident mistakenly believes he/she needs to get to the resident lane. Both lanes, resident and visitor, have a card scanner and a red button! Geez. Just stay in the lane you are in and proceed into your neighborhood! You won't get hauled to jail or pulled over by the neighborhood police if you are in the visitor lane!
Happy driving! Most importantly, expect the unexpected! These forums certainly accentuate the need to do so!

[wamley]

Actually the outside lane is for right turns and straight, left lane is used for straight, left or U turn. Clearly marked on the signs when entering the roundabout. Many entering seem to assume that if your in right line you are getting off at the 1st exit, not neccessarily so, if in the left lane the vehicle will continue to the next turn or more. Using your signals are important to project your intent. https://www.districtgov.org/community/Roundabout-02-08-12.pdf

[plheide]

Signals! Everyone needs to use their SIGNALS in the roundabouts. And, bikers need to signal and STOP at stop signs if using the traffic lanes.

[maistocars]

Check out this link"
https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/villages-florida-general-discussion-73/how-navigate-roundabouts-155158/

A car entering the roundabout from the left lane of traffic may exit from the left lane of traffic at any exit OTHER THAN the first exit. And should because it should not change lanes within the roundabout.

a car entering from the right lane of traffic must yield to the car in the roundabout in the left lane, in case that car exits from the left lane onto the first exit to the right of the entering car.
.
Doesn't this show the car exiting from the left staying in left lane? If the car entered the roundabout just prior to exiting from their Village entrance, that car should have been in the right lane when entering if they were going to exit on the next turn. In any case, my rule of thumb is to never ride side-by-side with any car and always drive defensively assuming the other car has no clue what they're doing.

[me4vt]

Pic

I was going straight through a roundabout and a car exiting from the left hand lane turned right in front of me to exit. I had no option but to hit that car. WTF, since when do you turn right from the left hand lane in front of another car?

[Nucky]

To fast to slow left lane right lane turn don’t turn. It’s All a big pile of NOTHING. Stay off your phone, don’t eat your Culver’s Concrete Mixer while you are driving, don’t continue your conversation or argument with a passenger in your vehicle when you are approaching a roundabout. ALWAYS expect the UNEXPECTED from every other driver on the road. Make sure you use your blinkers during every maneuver you make on every road you drive on. The only reason you have a close call while driving is that you allowed it to occur. Wake up, get your head outta your azz and drive DEFENSIVELY AT ALL TIMES.

Realize that there are many new people who are not familiar with roundabouts and you have to do the thinking for them until they get comfortable doing the correct thing. Happy New Year!

[msmr23@gmail.com]

The lanes are marked. White solid lines cannot be crossed. white dotted lines, you may cross that lane but must yield to the person in that lane. So at most exits, the inside lane has a dotted route to exit. If you cross that dotted line, you must yield to the person in that lane.

[MidWestIA]

Whoever is in the roundabout has right of way. People coming in have to yield and better think they are a tourist and will jerk over in front of you

[BobnBev]

Brian, your post made absolutely no sense. Too much partying at midnight, or ????????????????????????????????:mornincoffee:

[Romad]

These are the rules…….Drivers entering the roundabout must yield to traffic already in the circle and are directed in one-way, counterclockwise direction. For multi-lane roundabouts, stay in the left lane to turn left and the right lane to turn right, and all lanes to go through, unless otherwise directed by signs or pavement markings. No the outside car doesn’t yield to the inside car trying to turn right from the inside lane.

In some cases yes, but not always. If you look at the Google maps satellite view at the circle with Buena Vista, Bailey Trail, and Odell Circle, you can see where the inside lane has the right away to exit right. It’s pretty much where there are two gates.

[Romad]

Many of the round-a-bouts have 2 lanes exiting, which have a broken lane between them. You are entering the person's lane beside you when you cross the broken line. Just like on a highway, which has a broken line between the two lanes, you must stay in your lane or yield to the person in the adjacent lane. When you enter the Savannah Center round-a-bout headed south, there are two lanes which lead to the Glenview golf course. If you are in the outside lane, the person in the inside lane has right of way to leave the circle headed to Glenview, as you are crossing a broken line moving into his/her lane. If the line is SOLID, you must exit, you are not allowed to cross a solid line, but you must yield if the line is broken. If you hit the person in the inside lane, you should be ticketed. Just rules of the road.

You’re exactly correct.

[Bill14564]

In some cases yes, but not always. If you look at the Google maps satellite view at the circle with Buena Vista, Bailey Trail, and Odell Circle, you can see where the inside lane has the right away to exit right. It’s pretty much where there are two gates.

No, the inside lane does not exit to the right at that (or likely any) circle. As has been explained many times in this thread, other threads, and apparently the Florida driver's manual, when entering a roundabout the left lane becomes the inside lane and cannot exit to the right.

[Ronnieslager]

We dont know that the left lane person wasnt changing into the right lane to exit assuming the OP would yield as he should. If you enter the RAB at 12 oclock, and want to exit at 3 oclock, you have to execute a lane change between 6 oclock and 3 oclock. That assumes that no one is occupying the right lane.....I read it that the OP was entering at 6 oclock. He should have yielded.

How else would someone coming from 12 oclock exit at 3 oclock if they DIDNT execute a lane change on the curve??

You should continue in the “MIDDLE” until it is safe to move to the right lane. You go around the whole round-about. Just because you entered at 12 does not mean you get to exit at 3. Go around till it is safe to move over.

[djlnc]

No, the inside lane does not exit to the right at that (or likely any) circle. As has been explained many times in this thread, other threads, and apparently the Florida driver's manual, when entering a roundabout the left lane becomes the inside lane and cannot exit to the right.

They need to change all those signs that show the inside lane exiting at the second or third exit.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

No, the inside lane does not exit to the right at that (or likely any) circle. As has been explained many times in this thread, other threads, and apparently the Florida driver's manual, when entering a roundabout the left lane becomes the inside lane and cannot exit to the right.

There is no LEFT exit in a roundabout. ALL exits require that you turn RIGHT, once you get to that exit. You go counter-clockwise around the circle - and when you get to your exit, you are literally taking a RIGHT. No matter where in that circle the exit happens to be.

If you are in the inside lane in a 2-lane circle, at some point - you will want to exit the circle. That means you will have to exit to your right, when you get there. If there is only a single lane on that exit, then the two lanes have to merge into that one lane while still IN the circle. That's how it is for Morse>Paige Place, and a couple of others to my knowledge.

The Morse/Paige/El Camino Real circle is a two-lane circle, all the way around. But if you want to go to St. Timothy's or Spanish Spring Town Square from that circle, you will be exiting RIGHT - into a SINGLE-lane exit. If you entered the circle from 441, and were planning on exiting it at Paige, you are REQUIRED to travel in the INSIDE lane. That's a 3-exit turn around the roundabout.

In addition at that specific roundabout, if you want to head south on Morse from that traffic circle, the right lane is for residents only. The left lane is for visitors (or residents). If you enter from El Camino Real on the OUTSIDE lane, but are not a resident, you MUST move into the left lane of that exit, to get through the visitors gate. You don't do it while you're in the circle, you do it the moment you exit - to your right. And then immediately shift to the left lane to get through the gate.

Even more: If you are heading toward 441 from El Camino Real and want to take a right once you get to 441, well you are driving on the INSIDE lane of that circle to get to that exit. Once you're at that exit you have to cross -three- lanes to get to the right-turn lane at 441.

The reverse is true if you're coming from Paige to 441 - it's a single exit, so that means you enter to the outside lane - and then take that first right to the first exit out of the roundabout, then cut over two lanes to get to the left-turn-only lane.

The Florida handbook doesn't account for all possible constructions of roundabouts. The Villages doesn't have consistency with their own roundabouts.

[Arl]

Well, sadly, it happens much more than anyone would ever guess ! Happened to us just a couple days before Christmas at round-about nearest Savannah center and Glen View club. Don't know how we managed to avoid collision, though we KNOW to expect that ! Don't want to blame ever "evil" on "snowbirds", but have to admit it does happen more often during the "winter"...perhaps just due to more people, not where they are from or how they are used to using roundabouts ! ? Just a casual observation, but it also appears there are HUGE numbers of people who not know the significance of solid, versus "dotted" lines on any roadway, go figure ? Thought that would be rather consistent no matter what state (or even country ?) they are from ? Also, must be a huge inconsistency in each state's laws regarding CROSS WALKS. Apparently, the rules of the road in some states must not require autos to stop when individuals are IN the cross walk...or at last it seems so (?)
I don’t think it’s snowbirds I think you just have a lot more people here and many renters.

[djlnc]

[QUOTE=OrangeBlossomBaby;2172042] You go counter-clockwise around the circle -

/QUOTE]

Now you tell me!

[Bill14564]

There is no LEFT exit in a roundabout. ALL exits require that you turn RIGHT, once you get to that exit. You go counter-clockwise around the circle - and when you get to your exit, you are literally taking a RIGHT. No matter where in that circle the exit happens to be.

If you are in the inside lane in a 2-lane circle, at some point - you will want to exit the circle. That means you will have to exit to your right, when you get there. If there is only a single lane on that exit, then the two lanes have to merge into that one lane while still IN the circle. That's how it is for Morse>Paige Place, and a couple of others to my knowledge.

...

You can intentionally misunderstand all that you like but ir doesn't change the markings, the guidelines, or the safe way to do things. Except for taking the first exit from tje right lane, I (always?) aim straight out of the circle regardless of the lane I am in - it's just the way the circles are laid out. I discontinue my left turn and I find myself out of the circle in the lane I am supposed to be in.

Check the signage at those circles that exit to a sing lane. If they are all like the one at Pinellas and Morse the signs will indicate that only the right lane from the road opposite the single lane exit is allowed to take that exit. No ambiguity, no changing lanes, no merging, just follow the indicated traffic pattern.

EDIT: Just checked the signage for Paige Place and it is the same as the Pinellas circle - only the right lane of El Camino is allowed to continue to Paige Place.

[Bill14564]

They need to change all those signs that show the inside lane exiting at the second or third exit.

Why? That is exactly what the inside lane is for.

[thevillagernie]

i was going straight through a roundabout and a car exiting from the left hand lane turned right in front of me to exit. I had no option but to hit that car. Wtf, since when do you turn right from the left hand lane in front of another car?

only in the villages

[jimmy o]

No, you are mistaken. You need to stay in your lane in RB and yield to driver already in it. Inner lane must exit from inner lane, they cannot change lanes in RB. Here is a snip from “FL Rules of the Road”.
2:29
Roundabouts slow vehicle speed, give drivers more time to judge and react to other vehicles or pedestrians. Drivers entering the roundabout must yield to traffic already in the circle and are directed in one-way, counterclockwise direction. For multi-lane roundabouts, stay in the left lane to turn left and the right lane to turn right, and all lanes to go through, unless otherwise directed by signs or pavement markings. Stay in your lane within the roundabout and use your right turn signal to indicate your intention to exit. Prior to entering or exiting the roundabout, drivers must yield to pedestrians in the crosswalks.
Bicyclists may take the lane in the roundabout, or use the sidewalk.

[Red Rose]

Driving south on Morse Blvd in the left hand lane exiting the roundabout to enter the village of Mallory, someone turned left from the right hand lane right in front of us. Then he got in the left hand lane to go through the visitors gate at a high rate of speed. Turned down Gayle Mill and drove straight into the Natalie Villas. Hope that person reads this and takes some lessons on how to maneuver rotaries.

[ithos]

I was going straight through a roundabout and a car exiting from the left hand lane turned right in front of me to exit. I had no option but to hit that car. WTF, since when do you turn right from the left hand lane in front of another car?

If you were entering a roundabout then you were violating this rule:

• Move up to the entrance line and wait for a gap in
traffic. DO NOT ENTER next to a vehicle in the roundabout, as that vehicle may be exiting at the next exit.

It is easy for new Villagers to make this mistake. I made it once when I first moved here and the driver stopped and waited for me to exit. I never did it again.

My personal rule is to always stay behind their rear bumper and assume that they are going to change lanes.

[YeOldeCurmudgeon]

They can "turn right" as you call it when they are proceeding straight through the roundabout from the entrance on your left. You should have stayed far enough back to allow them to turn.

I don't know how you can make a judgment on this without actually seeing what happened. From what is being described, I would say that the person on the inside lane should already have been in outside lane since they knew or probably knew they were going to exit. Not only that, but how can you absolve someone who cuts in front of an ongoing vehicle? Weren't they paying attention? However, that is only based on what we're being told. We need to see it to make a definitive judgment. Guess we would have to hear both sides and then ask questions which is what I think a judge would do.

[NoMoSno]

In addition at that specific roundabout, if you want to head south on Morse from that traffic circle, the right lane is for residents only. The left lane is for visitors (or residents). If you enter from El Camino Real on the OUTSIDE lane, but are not a resident, you MUST move into the left lane of that exit, to get through the visitors gate. You don't do it while you're in the circle, you do it the moment you exit - to your right. And then immediately shift to the left lane to get through the gate.

Actually if the visitor happened to be in the right side resident gate side, they could push the red button.

[djlnc]

Why? That is exactly what the inside lane is for.

I was being facetious and responding to:

No, the inside lane does not exit to the right at that (or likely any) circle. As has been explained many times in this thread, other threads, and apparently the Florida driver's manual, when entering a roundabout the left lane becomes the inside lane and cannot exit to the right.

I guess I should have added a smiley face.

[golfing eagles]

I don't know how you can make a judgment on this without actually seeing what happened. From what is being described, I would say that the person on the inside lane should already have been in outside lane since they knew or probably knew they were going to exit. Not only that, but how can you absolve someone who cuts in front of an ongoing vehicle? Weren't they paying attention? However, that is only based on what we're being told. We need to see it to make a definitive judgment. Guess we would have to hear both sides and then ask questions which is what I think a judge would do.

There's an easy answer to that-------He DID NOT CUT IN FRONT of another vehicle. He exited from the inner lane in accordance with EVERY sign, EVERY hand out, and EVERY law that deals with RBs of a vehicle going to the 2nd or 3rd exit.. The person who stated in their OP that they were in the outer lane going to the third exit is 1 million percent WRONG. PERIOD. No debate, no argument, they were WRONG, the driver who they claim "cut them off" was following the correct procedure. C'mon people this isn't rocket science, it's easy. Furthermore, not only was the OP wrong by trying to go 270 in the outer lane, the only way they could have been in a position just behind or alongside the other vehicle is if they entered the RB when he was coming around, which is also 1 million percent WRONG.

[camcnr]

Can we also agree that we should always use our signal lights when exiting?

[Crookedbreeze]

I was going straight through a roundabout and a car exiting from the left hand lane turned right in front of me to exit. I had no option but to hit that car. WTF, since when do you turn right from the left hand lane in front of another car?
Oops should have yielded . Look it up

[golfing eagles]

Can we also agree that we should always use our signal lights when exiting?

We should.

Now for the follow up question----how much do you trust the driver to do what his signal is indicating? Do you bet your life on it?

[Dotneko]

tThere's an easy answer to that-------He DID NOT CUT IN FRONT of another vehicle. He exited from the inner lane in accordance with EVERY sign, EVERY hand out, and EVERY law that deals with RBs of a vehicle going to the 2nd or 3rd exit.. The person who stated in their OP that they were in the outer lane going to the third exit is 1 million percent WRONG. PERIOD. No debate, no argument, they were WRONG, the driver who they claim "cut them off" was following the correct procedure. C'mon people this isn't rocket science, it's easy. Furthermore, not only was the OP wrong by trying to go 270 in the outer lane, the only way they could have been in a position just behind or alongside the other vehicle is if they entered the RB when he was coming around, which is also 1 million percent WRONG.
The OP stated they were going straight through. Not 270. I agree with them being wrong, but your facts arent accurate regarding the original post.

[VApeople]

I was going straight through a roundabout and a car exiting from the left hand lane turned right in front of me to exit. I had no option but to hit that car.

Based on what you say, I think you caused the accident. If the other car was driving in the roundabout, you should not have entered the roundabout.

WTF, since when do you turn right from the left hand lane in front of another car?

I do it all the time. When I am driving south on Morse, I need to go 3/4 of the way around a roundabout to get into Osceola Hulls. I enter the roundabout in the left lane, drive 3/4 of the way around, and cut across the right lane to get out.

If another car is in the right lane when I want to cut across, then I honk at them and keep honking until I get past them.

On the other hand, if they keep on going in the right lane, then I stop and let them go, but I keep honking at them until they are too far away to hear me.

I guess it is pretty obvious that I like to honk at other drivers.

[ithos]

Seven pages in and yet there is still disagreement so I will ask this question.

If I am traveling down Morrison and enter a roundabout with the intention of taking the third exit to enter through Charlotte's gate, I obviously have to enter the circle on the inside lane. But once I am 180 degs around at the second exit, how do I enter either gate without crossing across the outside lane?

Doesn't it make sense the the vehicles entering the circle must yield with the expectation that one of the cars coming around will be leaving the outer lane to go through a gate?
I am not changing lanes. I am exiting the circle by crossing over the outside lane.

Hence the rule:

Approaching Roundabouts
• Reduce your speed and prepare to YIELD to all traffic
in the roundabout

and

Move up to the entrance line and wait for a gap in
traffic. DO NOT ENTER next to a vehicle in the roundabout, as that vehicle may be exiting at the next exit.

[Laker14]

think this horse is dead yet?

[newgirl]

When the other car was suppose to turn in the previous street, we were just talking about how in the newer sections they have different ( scary) markings then north of 466a. Plus, too many ride the outside lane and that is a no no.

[newgirl]

When the other car was suppose to turn in the previous street, we were just talking about how in the newer sections they have different ( scary) markings then north of 466a. Plus, too many ride the outside lane and that is a no no.not true, left lane has a turn into main road, outside lanes are for side street exits.

[auntbarbie]

We moved here 14 years ago, and were given a pamphlet entotled “ A Guide to Navigating Roundabouts in Sumter County.” It fully explains every possible instance that might happen when driving around one. It shows that when driving in the left hand lane, and intending to exit on the right, you should put your right turn signal on and exit from the left lane. It doesn’t say so in the pamphlet, but we were told that the left lane actually has the right of way, and drivers in the right lane intending to continue around should use extreme caution. Sounds crazy, but that’s what we were told.

[Marathon Man]

https://www.districtgov.org/community/Roundabout-02-08-12.pdf

use the link above. It tells you everything you need to know.

[ithos]

think this horse is dead yet?

Not until you go to

https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/subscription.php?do=addsubscription&t=337830

and select "No email notification"

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

You can intentionally misunderstand all that you like but ir doesn't change the markings, the guidelines, or the safe way to do things. Except for taking the first exit from tje right lane, I (always?) aim straight out of the circle regardless of the lane I am in - it's just the way the circles are laid out. I discontinue my left turn and I find myself out of the circle in the lane I am supposed to be in.

Check the signage at those circles that exit to a sing lane. If they are all like the one at Pinellas and Morse the signs will indicate that only the right lane from the road opposite the single lane exit is allowed to take that exit. No ambiguity, no changing lanes, no merging, just follow the indicated traffic pattern.

EDIT: Just checked the signage for Paige Place and it is the same as the Pinellas circle - only the right lane of El Camino is allowed to continue to Paige Place.

But if you're coming from 441, heading to Paige Place, you are required to travel on the inside lane to get there. You're not allowed to change lanes while you're in the circle, so you can't be in the right lane from El Camino - since you were in the left lane when you entered the circle. People making a "third exit" or 3/4 way around the circle are required to be on the inside lane. And they have to exit to a single lane exit there.

People like to say it's easy - but it's not easy. That particular circle can be pretty scary because there's also a golf cart path that follows the traffic circle completely around it, without tunneling underneath. It crosses incoming/exiting circle traffic from all four sides.

As for pushing the red button in the residents only lane to the person who commented on it - many visitors don't know that the red button will raise the gate. They don't even know there's a red button, until they get to it. And many of them will cross to the visitors' gate, which is what they're supposed to do once they exit the circle. If they're coming from Paige Place they'll already be in the correct lane to exit out of the circle to the visitor's gate on Morse. But if they're not, they will have to shift to that left lane at the exit itself - unless they know in advance that they can ignore the big "RESIDENTS" marking on the pavement before they get to the gate.

[Rheinl271]

Unless it is a single lane for a left which is most of the roundabouts. If there is a car coming around in the roundabout 90 degrees to you when you approach the roundabout he IS most likely going right. Could be a u turn but rare. YOU need to yield.

[Bill14564]

But if you're coming from 441, heading to Paige Place, you are required to travel on the inside lane to get there. You're not allowed to change lanes while you're in the circle, so you can't be in the right lane from El Camino - since you were in the left lane when you entered the circle. People making a "third exit" or 3/4 way around the circle are required to be on the inside lane. And they have to exit to a single lane exit there.

...

Yes, and....?

Coming from 441 you go 270 degrees to exit on Paige Place. As you wrote, you will do this using the inside lane. When you reach Paige Place there is only a single lane - take it. No conflict with other traffic, no merging, no changing lanes, just the inside lane exiting at the 270 degree point. On other circles there are two lanes to choose from and you need to pick the correct one - the single lane on Paige Place makes this circle even easier to use.

[bagboy]

I don't know how you can make a judgment on this without actually seeing what happened. From what is being described, I would say that the person on the inside lane should already have been in outside lane since they knew or probably knew they were going to exit. Not only that, but how can you absolve someone who cuts in front of an ongoing vehicle? Weren't they paying attention? However, that is only based on what we're being told. We need to see it to make a definitive judgment. Guess we would have to hear both sides and then ask questions which is what I think a judge would do.


I can't find the Oh Brother emoji...:shrug:

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Yes, and....?

Coming from 441 you go 270 degrees to exit on Paige Place. As you wrote, you will do this using the inside lane. When you reach Paige Place there is only a single lane - take it. No conflict with other traffic, no merging, no changing lanes, just the inside lane exiting at the 270 degree point. On other circles there are two lanes to choose from and you need to pick the correct one - the single lane on Paige Place makes this circle even easier to use.

If someone comes in to the circle from Morse heading north, with Paige as the first exit around the circle, and you had already entered the circle from the inside lane coming from 441 - you won't see each other. They'll be JUST starting to accelerate by the time you're almost to them. If they're going especially slow or had to wait last second for a passing golf cart (because sometimes they don't stop even if they should) - you could easily end up heading to that same exit at the same time. They have a right to be in the outside lane coming from the exact opposite direction as you, and you had a right to be in the inside lane. You get to the first exit, and have to merge with them onto that exit.

I mean - this kind of thing happens every single day over there. Sometimes there are accidents, and sometimes people just "figure it out."

[duhbear]

I was going straight through a roundabout and a car exiting from the left hand lane turned right in front of me to exit. I had no option but to hit that car. WTF, since when do you turn right from the left hand lane in front of another car?

Take a look at this brochure

https://www.districtgov.org/community/Roundabout-02-08-12.PDF

And make sure you check the lane sign before entering the RAB

[fdpaq0580]

O. M. G.
Since so many think they are right and everyone else is wrong, I believe getting rid of the RB's and going back to traffic signals would be best for all concerned. The simple common sense needed to navigate traffic circles safely, is obviously NOT common. Or so it seems.
😕🚦🚥

[Rsenholzi]

I was going straight through a roundabout and a car exiting from the left hand lane turned right in front of me to exit. I had no option but to hit that car. WTF, since when do you turn right from the left hand lane in front of another car?

Sounds like you didn’t yield the right of way. Go look at the laws for traveling through a roundabout. A car going half way or 3/4 should be in the center lane of the roundabout. In order to exit, they must cross the outside lane. Cars entering the roundabout are supposed to yield right of way to the cars in the roundabout, meaning you must stop and proceed with caution. If you don’t you are at fault , not the person in the roundabout

[Bill14564]

If someone comes in to the circle from Morse heading north, with Paige as the first exit around the circle, and you had already entered the circle from the inside lane coming from 441 - you won't see each other. They'll be JUST starting to accelerate by the time you're almost to them. If they're going especially slow or had to wait last second for a passing golf cart (because sometimes they don't stop even if they should) - you could easily end up heading to that same exit at the same time. They have a right to be in the outside lane coming from the exact opposite direction as you, and you had a right to be in the inside lane. You get to the first exit, and have to merge with them onto that exit.

I mean - this kind of thing happens every single day over there. Sometimes there are accidents, and sometimes people just "figure it out."

What you are describing is a case where the car entering from Morse does not yield to the traffic already in the circle. The solution to that is to yield properly; otherwise, there will be conflicts and accidents. If the circle is constructed or landscaped in such a way that there are blind spots then that is a safety issue that should be addressed.

[Jeanne wilson]

Roundabouts should only have one lane, not two. If they built them that way you would not have accidents. In Ohio we have many and they are all one lane. It doesn't make sense to have two lanes.

[Two Bills]

Roundabouts should only have one lane, not two. If they built them that way you would not have accidents. In Ohio we have many and they are all one lane. It doesn't make sense to have two lanes.

Don't ever think of driving in UK or Europe.
3-4 lane roundabouts, and in some cases, traffic moving in clockwise, and counter clockwise directions in them!

[mikeycereal]

The OP incident reminds me of what almost happened to me in a roundabout while driving home on Morse on 1/31.

In the pic below, I am the blue car in the left lane on Morse entering the roundabout. The black car that I drew is the person who entered the roundabout. I am totally legal to stay in that lane and make the exit to continue on Morse, as this original pic indicates a correct move by the blue car.

That black car entering needs to yield to me if going into the roundabout, but does not need to yield to me if turning right into Morse and staying on the right. He came pretty close to me as he was entering the roundabout and not turning right. That driver almost hit me.

So to prepare for that not happening in the future I will use my right turn signal when exiting so the other driver sees and doesn't just jump in there too quick. In these situations the other driver is entering to move into a gap when the right roundabout lane is open, but they still need to watch for the driver in the inside roundabout lane.

I realize there's not much signal courtesy out there, but to avoid someone hitting me like in this situation I'm going to save myself the hassle of getting hit and use the signal. A signal is not needed when continuing inside the roundabout.

Foresake the turn signal all you want when no one is around, but I'm not trusting these drivers to anticipate my moves on the road when they are around me. When someone has the right of way in these situations not all other drivers may know that.

For those who say why not have stop signs instead, roundabouts are considered safer than traditional intersections because they have fewer points of conflict.

How to use a Roundabout (https://wernerantweiler.ca/blog.php?item=2016-01-01)

[Laker14]

Sounds like you didn’t yield the right of way. Go look at the laws for traveling through a roundabout. A car going half way or 3/4 should be in the center lane of the roundabout. In order to exit, they must cross the outside lane. Cars entering the roundabout are supposed to yield right of way to the cars in the roundabout, meaning you must stop and proceed with caution. If you don’t you are at fault , not the person in the roundabout

A car going 1/2 way may enter in the right lane of traffic (from the 6:00 position). It must yield to any car in either lane of the RAB. It should assume any car in the RAB, including a car in the inner lane, will be cutting across the outer lane to take the 3:00 exit.

[mikeycereal]

A car going 1/2 way may enter in the right lane of traffic (from the 6:00 position). It must yield to any car in either lane of the RAB. It should assume any car in the RAB, including a car in the inner lane, will be cutting across the outer lane to take the 3:00 exit.

This. ^

Though my pic is a little slanted at 7:00 and 4:00.

[Rookie1]

I thought I had seen it all!!!!! Yesterday on Morse a car was backing up in the roundabout. Apparently missed his or her turn. Be careful out there.

[golfing eagles]

This should resolve most of the disagreements.

Choose your lane:
Approaching a two lane roundabout, make a lane choice
according to the following rules:
• If you intend to exit the roundabout more than halfway
around, use the LEFT-HAND lane.
• If you intend to exit the roundabout less than halfway
around, use the RIGHT-HAND lane.
• If you intend to continue straight through, use either
lane unless signs or markings indicate otherwise.
Navigating Roundabouts
• Move up to the entrance line and wait for a gap in
traffic. DO NOT ENTER next to a vehicle in the roundabout, as that vehicle may be exiting at the next exit.
• Within the roundabout, do not stop except to avoid a
collision; you have the right-of-way over entering
traffic. Keep moving in a counterclockwise direction.
• Do not change lanes in a roundabout.
• A striped channelization island is present in several
roundabouts, which reduces the circulatory roadway to
one lane approaching a single-lane exit.

Well, that was 85 posts ago, so apparently not :1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:

[rhood]

The OP incident reminds me of what almost happened to me in a roundabout while driving home on Morse on 1/31.

In the pic below, I am the blue car in the left lane on Morse entering the roundabout. The black car that I drew is the person who entered the roundabout. I am totally legal to stay in that lane and make the exit to continue on Morse, as this original pic indicates a correct move by the blue car.

That black car entering needs to yield to me if going into the roundabout, but does not need to yield to me if turning right into Morse and staying on the right. He came pretty close to me as he was entering the roundabout and not turning right. That driver almost hit me.

So to prepare for that not happening in the future I will use my right turn signal when exiting so the other driver sees and doesn't just jump in there too quick. In these situations the other driver is entering to move into a gap when the right roundabout lane is open, but they still need to watch for the driver in the inside roundabout lane.

I realize there's not much signal courtesy out there, but to avoid someone hitting me like in this situation I'm going to save myself the hassle of getting hit and use the signal. A signal is not needed when continuing inside the roundabout.

Foresake the turn signal all you want when no one is around, but I'm not trusting these drivers to anticipate my moves on the road when they are around me. When someone has the right of way in these situations not all other drivers may know that.

For those who say why not have stop signs instead, roundabouts are considered safer than traditional intersections because they have fewer points of conflict.

How to use a Roundabout (https://wernerantweiler.ca/blog.php?item=2016-01-01)


Why does he need to yield. There is nothing in the lane he is turning onto. There is no one to yield to.

[rhood]

Actually, there was no accident and I didn't hit anyone. Just wanted opinions which were all over the place. RAB's can be crazy with a lot of variables and I can understand why they scare a lot of folks.
They are sure a lot better than stop lights at every intersection.

[Bill14564]

I was going straight through a roundabout and a car exiting from the left hand lane turned right in front of me to exit. I had no option but to hit that car. WTF, since when do you turn right from the left hand lane in front of another car?

Actually, there was no accident and I didn't hit anyone. Just wanted opinions which were all over the place. RAB's can be crazy with a lot of variables and I can understand why they scare a lot of folks.
They are sure a lot better than stop lights at every intersection.

So which post was a lie?

[golfing eagles]

Actually, there was no accident and I didn't hit anyone. Just wanted opinions which were all over the place. RAB's can be crazy with a lot of variables and I can understand why they scare a lot of folks.
They are sure a lot better than stop lights at every intersection.

Glad to hear there wasn't an accident. And consider this: If the opinions as to how to navigate a RB are all over the place on TOTV, just imagine what these drivers are doing in an actual RB. In addition, it's not like the correct procedure is kept a secret, there are signs, handouts, classes, and the Florida driver's handbook. Yet everyday somebody does something totally stupid in a RB. Even more amazing, the person who is wrong is usually the one that makes an indignant post blaming someone else. Good luck out there and Happy New Year.

[Byte1]

Once again, the best way to make sure EVERYONE agrees on how to handle a circle/round about is to make them ALL one lane. Sure it slows everyone down, but it also makes everyone safer. Every rule, other than those pertaining to circles state that you don't make a right turn from a left lane, in front of a vehicle traveling straight or a left turn from the right lane in front of a vehicle traveling traveling straight. This totally makes the rules of the road contradictory, unsafe and difficult for out of towners that may have never traveled through intersections with RABs. Logic (and normal rules of the road) would dictate that the person on the outside lane in a circle would ALWAYS have the right of way and that anyone in the left lane, wishing to make a right turn would have to move over to the right lane well before making the turn. One sole lane in a circle would make the traffic slow down AND make it safer. Other than those taking a short cut through the Villages to avoid the lights on the highways, no one needs to be in a hurry in the Villages.

[golfing eagles]

Once again, the best way to make sure EVERYONE agrees on how to handle a circle/round about is to make them ALL one lane. Sure it slows everyone down, but it also makes everyone safer. Every rule, other than those pertaining to circles state that you don't make a right turn from a left lane, in front of a vehicle traveling straight or a left turn from the right lane in front of a vehicle traveling traveling straight. This totally makes the rules of the road contradictory, unsafe and difficult for out of towners that may have never traveled through intersections with RABs. Logic (and normal rules of the road) would dictate that the person on the outside lane in a circle would ALWAYS have the right of way and that anyone in the left lane, wishing to make a right turn would have to move over to the right lane well before making the turn. One sole lane in a circle would make the traffic slow down AND make it safer. Other than those taking a short cut through the Villages to avoid the lights on the highways, no one needs to be in a hurry in the Villages.

There is some merit to that idea, but also some problems:

Besides the major road construction and the costs involved, at some point prior to the RB, 2 lanes would have to merge into one. We all know what happens at such merges with traffic getting backed up for ? how far. Also, there is no guarantee that those drivers that are too stupid to correctly navigate the existing RBs are smart enough to handle a merge. If one is going north on BV from 44 to 466 (about 5-6 miles), one would have to put up with this series of merges and single lane RBs 16 times. As far as " no one needs to be in a hurry in the Villages.", let's start with ambulances and fire trucks, then move on to those rushing someone to the hospital in a car and those with a "potty emergency". And then there is just the general premise that most people would rather be playing pickleball, or golf, or watch a show than be stuck in traffic because RBs were redesigned to cater to the lowest common denominator of driving skill.

[Get real]

So many subject matter experts who think their opinion is the only right one. This site should allow political discussion and ban traffic circle bickering. Jeez.:rolleyes:

[Djean1981]

Agreed, dash cams are inexpensive and help prevent conflicting stories.

[BostonRich]

I was going straight through a roundabout and a car exiting from the left hand lane turned right in front of me to exit. I had no option but to hit that car. WTF, since when do you turn right from the left hand lane in front of another car?

All the time in a roundabout. You were wrong.

Forget all the fancy diagrams and complicated rules and just remember this:

Always yield to a car on your left

The car on your left always has the right of way and you always have to yield to it. Simple enough really.

[Laker14]

Why does he need to yield. There is nothing in the lane he is turning onto. There is no one to yield to.

He needs to yield because he is entering the roundabout in the right lane, and a car already in the RAB in the inner lane will be crossing over the lane with no car in it, in order to take the next exit off the RAB.

study that diagram. It is the crux of this entire thread.
cars in inner lane may (indeed will eventually be forced to) CROSS OVER the outer lane to make their exit.

They are not supposed to change lanes in the RAB and then exit from the outer lane. No. They are to cross over the outer lane to make their exit.

[gobuck827]

Roundabouts should only have one lane, not two. If they built them that way you would not have accidents. In Ohio we have many and they are all one lane. It doesn't make sense to have two lanes.

Multi-lane RAB in Montgomery, OH. Just one of many examples of multi-lane RAB's in Ohio.

[Laker14]

i was going straight through a roundabout and a car exiting from the left hand lane turned right in front of me to exit. I had no option but to hit that car. Wtf, since when do you turn right from the left hand lane in front of another car?

since we haven't heard from the op since the op, i'm thinking this was either a troll, or he has realized he messed up.
.

actually, there was no accident and i didn't hit anyone. Just wanted opinions which were all over the place. Rab's can be crazy with a lot of variables and i can understand why they scare a lot of folks.
They are sure a lot better than stop lights at every intersection.

bingo!

[Quixote]

Answer----when it is NOT turning "right" from the left hand lane. If you were going straight thru the RB (ie: 180 degrees in the right lane), then anyone in the left lane must have already been in the RB, probably going 270 from the entrance straight across from you or going straight through from the first exit to your left. In either case, that driver is correct in using the left lane to go either 180 or 270 and then exiting. If there is a 2 lane exit he does not need to change lanes. By description, it sounds like you entered the RB while a car was coming around from your left in the inner lane, in which case this was 100% your fault. You may not enter a RB when traffic is coming in EITHER lane.

This seems a pretty clear explanation of the rules of driving the roundabouts. Unfortunately, IMHO, the nature of the roundabout is flawed, and no matter how much signage and how much drivers are aware of these rules, accidents are still going to happen. And it sure doesn't help when the guidelines of some roundabouts are different from those of other roundabouts. One doesn't have to be a newcomer or a snowbird to be confused by these inconsistencies.


Once again, the best way to make sure EVERYONE agrees on how to handle a circle/round about is to make them ALL one lane. Sure it slows everyone down, but it also makes everyone safer. Every rule, other than those pertaining to circles state that you don't make a right turn from a left lane, in front of a vehicle traveling straight or a left turn from the right lane in front of a vehicle traveling traveling straight. This totally makes the rules of the road contradictory, unsafe and difficult for out of towners that may have never traveled through intersections with RABs. Logic (and normal rules of the road) would dictate that the person on the outside lane in a circle would ALWAYS have the right of way and that anyone in the left lane, wishing to make a right turn would have to move over to the right lane well before making the turn. One sole lane in a circle would make the traffic slow down AND make it safer. Other than those taking a short cut through the Villages to avoid the lights on the highways, no one needs to be in a hurry in the Villages.

I agree. Yes, it would slow traffic for persons who primarily don't need to be in a rush to get most anywhere. Yes, it would replace the roundabout problem with the merge problem prior to drivers reaching the roundabout, though again, IMHO, the merging issue is less of a potential problem than what now exists in the roundabouts.

And then you have those people who live in their own world, not cognizant of anyone else. Some years ago a friend and another man simultaneously walked out of a drugstore here in TV and witnessed an accident in the parking lot. One car was pulling out of the lot, while another was backing out of a parking spot and backed right into the side of the car that was leaving. The wife (?) of the driver who was first backing out jumped out of the car and started screaming at the driver of the other car. The other driver wisely did not respond to her but simply called 9-1-1.

The deputy was barely out of his vehicle when the woman started screaming at him. Her view was what right did that driver have to pass by just as the car she was in was backing out? The deputy could see quickly what he was dealing with and turned to my friend and the other man and asked if they had witnessed the accident, and if so, would one of them be willing to be a witness. Both replied yes to both questions. The other man then told the deputy that if it would help, he was the retired chief of police of [a small city in] Illinois. You'll do fine, the deputy said, and my friend left.

If this can happen in a straightforward situation in a parking lot, it's hard to imagine the complexities of roundabout accidents!

[djlnc]

Parking lots are my greatest fear - ranking even higher than roundabouts. When you are backing out of a space you can't always see to the sides because of the vehicles parked next to you. You have to back out slowly, and depend on anyone who is driving down the aisle is paying attention and not speeding.

[grayesun]

Want to avoid most roundabout incidents...1) don't ever travel MORE than 90 degrees in the outer lane, 2) don't ever travel LESS than 180 degrees in inner lane. If I mistakenly have to go more than 90 in outer lane, I always assume someone in inner lane will be exiting, possibly right in front of me...and slow way down.

[deputydoc]

So based on what you just said, if you are in the left lane in a RAB, then you can never leave. Kind of like a trap

[Red Rose]

What's the big rush in these roundabouts? That's the real issue.

[shut the front door]

You need a video camera. Other bone head hit us in rear in round about and still disputed fault with video. Disgusted. They are inexpensive and a must.

Sheriff rules nothing if not witnessed it

Not true here in FL. Almost every accident reported on the other site ends with the officer issuing a citation for a violation that he didn't witness.

[Spalumbos62]

So many subject matter experts who think their opinion is the only right one. This site should allow political discussion and ban traffic circle bickering. Jeez.:rolleyes:

I agree, but then again there will be that one, maybe two people that think they are right and the rest of the world are idiots. It's really a shame this overly passive aggressive behavior isn't monitored, it makes it very hard to ask a question, just one darn question w/o being treated rudely.
Yeah, roundabouts, especially two lane ones are hard, it's not a natural thing to be in the right lane and yield to the person on your left making a right ....so I guess the answer is you lay back, crawl through and say your prayers. We all know that won't work. Oh well.....

[Marathon Man]

Once again, the best way to make sure EVERYONE agrees on how to handle a circle/round about is to make them ALL one lane. Sure it slows everyone down, but it also makes everyone safer. Every rule, other than those pertaining to circles state that you don't make a right turn from a left lane, in front of a vehicle traveling straight or a left turn from the right lane in front of a vehicle traveling traveling straight. This totally makes the rules of the road contradictory, unsafe and difficult for out of towners that may have never traveled through intersections with RABs. Logic (and normal rules of the road) would dictate that the person on the outside lane in a circle would ALWAYS have the right of way and that anyone in the left lane, wishing to make a right turn would have to move over to the right lane well before making the turn. One sole lane in a circle would make the traffic slow down AND make it safer. Other than those taking a short cut through the Villages to avoid the lights on the highways, no one needs to be in a hurry in the Villages.

I completely disagree. For one thing, suggesting something that will never be implemented is not the best way. The best way is for everyone to take about three minutes of their time and learn the proper way to navigate a two lane roundabout. It's not rocket science. But it seems that too many folks would rather complain about their existence rather than learning to drive properly in them.

[Foxtrot]

Did the car exiting have their turn signal on? If yes, your fault, if not, his fault. Very simple.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

I completely disagree. For one thing, suggesting something that will never be implemented is not the best way. The best way is for everyone to take about three minutes of their time and learn the proper way to navigate a two lane roundabout. It's not rocket science. But it seems that too many folks would rather complain about their existence rather than learning to drive properly in them.

Again - this requires that everyone care about learning it. That everyone seek out instructions to learn it. That everyone be able to comprehend what they've learned, when they learn it. That everyone be capable of carrying out the instructions that they've learned once they've learned it. That everyone NOT be distracted while attempting to carry out those instructions.

This includes "the other guy" and "the people on the bicycles" and "the golf carts who share the exit while crossing it on the outside perimeter of the circle." And of course, it includes you.

The only way this can happen is if EVERYONE knows, cares, and follows the rules. Unfortunately you get random person who doesn't live anywhere near the villages, needing to drive down Morse Boulevard for whatever reason one day, having no idea that a traffic circle is even coming up, let alone how to navigate it.

You get ONE of those people - and you have an accident.

You get ONE person who has decided that putting a "street legal" sign on the back of a non-street legal golf cart gives them the right to drive on the traffic circles on the outside lane while attempting to make a three-exit turn.

You get ONE person who forgets to look in his mirror while riding his bike around the circle from the outside lane.

You get ONE person whose phone rings just as they're entering the circle, and they decide to answer the phone instead of paying attention to what they're doing.

There are dozens of possibilities of "that one person" doing something that everyone else doesn't expect. That's why "everyone should just learn the rules" is a ridiculous, unreasonable, and unrealistic expectation.

[melpetezrinski]

So, the bottom line is to:
Follow RAB rules
Drive defensively
Try NOT to have a car next to you in a RAB.

Here is the reason why and a possible/plausible contrarian perspective to everyone saying OP would be at fault.

OP was heading north on Buena Vista and at RAB saw no cars to the left, proceeded at 15 mph in outer lane to continue heading north on Buena Vista. Driver at fault was traveling south on Buena Vista, entered RAB seconds earlier at a speed of 35 mph in the inner lane to take 3rd exit. Due to significant speed differences, both drivers were side by side (OP in outer lane, driver at fault in inner lane) when speeding vehicle made their exit, cutting in front of OP and causing an accident.

[golfing eagles]

Well, even if we got everyone to learn the rules (which seems impossible given that half the posts in this thread are plain wrong) and the RBs were perfectly choreographed, it would just take one pack of rabid cyclists blowing through the yield sign in one group to upset the whole applecart.

[VApeople]

I guess the answer is you lay back, crawl through and say your prayers. We all know that won't work.

That's how I drive and it works for me.

[Number 10 GI]

So many subject matter experts who think their opinion is the only right one. This site should allow political discussion and ban traffic circle bickering. Jeez.:rolleyes:

Big difference between the two. Politics is opinion and traffic circle driving is dictated by law, not opinion.

[coffeebean]

Sounds like you may not have yielded to cars on the rotary when entering. If he was already on the rotary and you were entering, you needed to yield.

One other possibility is the OP was circulating in the RAB and did not exit with his/her first or second exit. If you circulate in the RAB and go more than two exits in the outer lane, this type of accident can happen.

[coffeebean]

From reading these posts, it appears that a lot of people have no idea how to drive in a roundabout.

My "rule of thumb" is NEVER EVER drive next to anyone in a RAB. I vary my speed depending on where other cars are in the RAB. Unfortunately, when someone speeds up in the inside lane to make an exit right in front of you, that is a problem.

[coffeebean]

You better get yourself educated on RAB rules. You hit a car trying to exit from inside lane...you have to yield to them. General rule: if you want to exit at first exit, enter RAB in outside lane; if you want to exit at second exit you can go into RAB in
inside or outside lane; if you want to exit at third exit, go into RAB at inside lane. Car in outside lane must yield to cars in inside lane. You were wrong!

Great explanation!

[mgman]

Look at the lines on the road. If you cross a doter or solid line, you MUST yield.look at the lane markings and if you cross a line the you must yield. It is that simple.

[Laker14]

My "rule of thumb" is NEVER EVER drive next to anyone in a RAB. I vary my speed depending on where other cars are in the RAB. Unfortunately, when someone speeds up in the inside lane to make an exit right in front of you, that is a problem.

That should never happen to you.
A. you are in the outer lane
B. you only have two choices for exits, the first one and the second one
C. if you entered correctly, and take the first exit, no car can "speed up and cut in front of you"
D. If you skipped the first exit you MUST take the second exit, from the outer lane. If you are taking the second exit, no car from the inner lane can "speed up and cut in front of you" because you are taking the exit.

[Laker14]

One other possibility is the OP was circulating in the RAB and did not exit with his/her first or second exit. If you circulate in the RAB and go more than two exits in the outer lane, this type of accident can happen.

which is why it is a traffic violation.

[Sportsguy1]

I was going straight through a roundabout and a car exiting from the left hand lane turned right in front of me to exit. I had no option but to hit that car. WTF, since when do you turn right from the left hand lane in front of another car?
If the car you hit was already IN the roundabout in the inside or left lane, even if you had room to enter the roundabout from the outside lane, YOU have to yield to the car on the left or inside lane if they want to exit the roundabout. They were already in the roundabout so you have to yield to ALL cars in the roundabout…..plus in your scenario…as you enter the roundabout from the outer lane and there is a car coming from your left in the inside lane you must always figure they are going to exit the roundabout in their inside lane which puts them in front of you. A car already in the roundabout has the right of way.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Look at the lines on the road. If you cross a doter or solid line, you MUST yield.look at the lane markings and if you cross a line the you must yield. It is that simple.

And if there is no dotted line, because the two roundabout lanes merge into a single exit lane...then the person exiting from the inside lane has the right of way. Except the person in the outside lane isn't allowed to stop in a roundabout. Except if he doesn't, he'll hit the car trying to exit from the inside lane. And around and around it goes, any time any one singular vehicle doesn't follow the exact rules - which obviously are confusing. Since - if they weren't confusing, and if they applied at all times to every single roundabout without exception - there wouldn't be so many posts with so many pages with so many different explanations of what's correct and what is not.

[Bogie Shooter]

If the car you hit was already IN the roundabout in the inside or left lane, even if you had room to enter the roundabout from the outside lane, YOU have to yield to the car on the left or inside lane if they want to exit the roundabout. They were already in the roundabout so you have to yield to ALL cars in the roundabout…..plus in your scenario…as you enter the roundabout from the outer lane and there is a car coming from your left in the inside lane you must always figure they are going to exit the roundabout in their inside lane which puts them in front of you. A car already in the roundabout has the right of way.

He said there was no accident………however, this thread is a train wreck.

[Bill14564]

And if there is no dotted line, because the two roundabout lanes merge into a single exit lane...then the person exiting from the inside lane has the right of way. Except the person in the outside lane isn't allowed to stop in a roundabout. Except if he doesn't, he'll hit the car trying to exit from the inside lane. And around and around it goes, any time any one singular vehicle doesn't follow the exact rules - which obviously are confusing. Since - if they weren't confusing, and if they applied at all times to every single roundabout without exception - there wouldn't be so many posts with so many pages with so many different explanations of what's correct and what is not.

Again, this would only occur if the car in the outside lane did not yield to traffic already in the roundabout. When drivers ignore the law or decide they know better, bad things happen.

The laws are simple and the signage is clear. The roundabouts are not the problem, the ignorant drivers are.

[Laker14]

And if there is no dotted line, because the two roundabout lanes merge into a single exit lane...then the person exiting from the inside lane has the right of way. Except the person in the outside lane isn't allowed to stop in a roundabout. Except if he doesn't, he'll hit the car trying to exit from the inside lane. And around and around it goes, any time any one singular vehicle doesn't follow the exact rules - which obviously are confusing. Since - if they weren't confusing, and if they applied at all times to every single roundabout without exception - there wouldn't be so many posts with so many pages with so many different explanations of what's correct and what is not.

I was looking, via Google Maps satellite views, for an instance in TV where two lanes merge into one, in a roundabout, and couldn't find one. I wanted to examine the striping in such a situation. All I could find were RABs that exited in all exits, with two lanes, and merged into one after the exit, usually at an village entry gate.

Can you find an example? I'd like to look at it from the bird's eye view.

[golfing eagles]

I was looking, via Google Maps satellite views, for an instance in TV where two lanes merge into one, in a roundabout, and couldn't find one. I wanted to examine the striping in such a situation. All I could find were RABs that exited in all exits, with two lanes, and merged into one after the exit, usually at an village entry gate.

Can you find an example? I'd like to look at it from the bird's eye view.

Pinellas and Morse-----exit to Moyer is 1 lane.

[Hardlyworking]

I was looking, via Google Maps satellite views, for an instance in TV where two lanes merge into one, in a roundabout, and couldn't find one. I wanted to examine the striping in such a situation. All I could find were RABs that exited in all exits, with two lanes, and merged into one after the exit, usually at an village entry gate.

Can you find an example? I'd like to look at it from the bird's eye view.

I think you’ll find that scenario in. Any rab that has a bypass lane.

[golfing eagles]

I think you’ll find that scenario in. Any rab that has a bypass lane.

I know it's early, but you need to re-think that one

[Laker14]

I think you’ll find that scenario in. Any rab that has a bypass lane.

I know it's early, but you need to re-think that one

I just checked via satellite view the bypassed RAB at Buena Vista and Rainey Trail (by Palmer), and the exit is two lanes, but they do squeeze the RAB into one lane after the exit. At that point there is only one lane of traffic because nobody has entered the RAB from the direction of the bypass lane.

golfing eagles' example is exactly what I was looking for. I went through that one yesterday, northbound on Morse, continuing northbound on Morse out of the RAB. I live in Poinciana, made a roundtrip to Homestead (aka "The Edge of the World"), went through all of those RABs thinking about this thread as I negotiated each RAB to and fro, and I never noticed that was a one lane exit.

I have to study that satellite view a while and figure how they engineered that.

golfing eagles, do you know if they have different signage on Morse as you approach that RAB?

[Get real]

Big difference between the two. Politics is opinion and traffic circle driving is dictated by law, not opinion.

Not on here apparently.

[Bill14564]

I just checked via satellite view the bypassed RAB at Buena Vista and Rainey Trail (by Palmer), and the exit is two lanes, but they do squeeze the RAB into one lane after the exit. At that point there is only one lane of traffic because nobody has entered the RAB from the direction of the bypass lane.

golfing eagles' example is exactly what I was looking for. I went through that one yesterday, northbound on Morse, continuing northbound on Morse out of the RAB. I live in Poinciana, made a roundtrip to Homestead (aka "The Edge of the World"), went through all of those RABs thinking about this thread as I negotiated each RAB to and fro, and I never noticed that was a one lane exit.

I have to study that satellite view a while and figure how they engineered that.

golfing eagles, do you know if they have different signage on Morse as you approach that RAB?

There is no need for different signage on Morse. If you are northbound then only the right lane would exit onto Moyer and if you are southbound then only the left lane would exit onto Moyer - this is the same for all roundabouts.

The different signage is on Pinellas. Because Moyer is only a single lane, the signage indicates that only the right lane is allowed to proceed straight (180 degrees) onto Moyer; the sign shows the left lane turning left only (270 degrees).

OBB had another example of El Camino Real / Morse / Paige Place in the north. At that roundabout the signs on El Camino Real also indicate only the right lane can proceed straight (180 degrees) onto the single-lane Paige Place.

[Two Bills]

Great explanation!

No it wasn't. It is wrong
No one should need to yield in either lane in the roundabout. That is the whole object of roundabouts.
If you need to yield, you or other car is in wrong lane, or entered before both lanes were clear to left.
You yield to traffic from left, in both lanes, before entering roundabout.
So simple!

[28carl]

I learned to drive many years ago in a suburb of new york and was taught the following which I shared with my children when they learned to drive....always assume that the other driver MAY do the wrong thing and be prepared if that should happen....it must have been good advice because that was 60+ years ago and both my son and daughter have been accident free

[Laker14]

There is no need for different signage on Morse. If you are northbound then only the right lane would exit onto Moyer and if you are southbound then only the left lane would exit onto Moyer - this is the same for all roundabouts.

The different signage is on Pinellas. Because Moyer is only a single lane, the signage indicates that only the right lane is allowed to proceed straight (180 degrees) onto Moyer; the sign shows the left lane turning left only (270 degrees).

OBB had another example of El Camino Real / Morse / Paige Place in the north. At that roundabout the signs on El Camino Real also indicate only the right lane can proceed straight (180 degrees) onto the single-lane Paige Place.

Interesting. I'm not sure I've ever hit that RAB from Pinellas. I'm pretty sure that I need to pay closer attention to those squiggly signs though. Thanks for the heads-up.

[coffeebean]

"That person turning right from the left lane is at fault regardless."

So how do you expect anyone in the left lane to ever get off the roundabout?

It is the person behind who should be giving the vehicle in front sufficient room to make a signaled maneuver.

When entering a two-lane roundabout, assume that someone in the inside lane may want to leave it before your turn, and join/proceed accordingly.

It all depends on where a driver enters the RAB for it to be considered a "right turn".

After a driver enters a RAB............

The first exit is a right turn.
The second exit is going straight.
The third exit is a left turn.
The fourth exit is a U turn.

[coffeebean]

So many posting 'yield' to the car exiting the roundabout.
No one should have to yield in the roundabout, except in emegency.
You yield to cars on left, before entering roundabout.
It really is so simple!

Yes, yes, yes to this post. It is all about yielding to cars that are already circulating in the RAB. It is also a very good idea to never ever ride along side another car in the RAB. Vary your speed to stay away from others and avoid having a collision.

[gobuck827]

I was looking, via Google Maps satellite views, for an instance in TV where two lanes merge into one, in a roundabout, and couldn't find one. I wanted to examine the striping in such a situation. All I could find were RABs that exited in all exits, with two lanes, and merged into one after the exit, usually at an village entry gate.

Can you find an example? I'd like to look at it from the bird's eye view.

Think this is what you are looking for.

[coffeebean]

Exactly. Since when can you turn right from the left lane or left from the right lane! Hopefully the other driver was cited

I don't think you are grasping how these RABs function. For example.......

A driver enters the RAB in the inside (left) lane and leaves the RAB at the second exit from the inside (left) lane. Do you consider that a right turn from the left lane? If you said "yes", you are wrong. That maneuver is actually going straight.

[coffeebean]

Unfortunately most people drive with what as known as Cerebral Rectal Inversion.

Is that the same as a rectal incliniator? Asking for a friend.

[coffeebean]

First of all: you never enter at 12. Always 6. The clockface rotates depending upon which direction you are coming from. 12 is always your "straight" route.

2nd, you never change lanes inside a roundabout.

Just remember to maintain 20 mph; don't enter if you can see another car on your side of the circle; and remember right lanes can only exit on their first or second; left lane can never take their first exit, but can take 2, 3 and 4.

Key is to always remember the clock rotates. Easy Peasy.

Maintain 20 MPH??????? Really? I never do that. I vary my speed so I am never next to another car.

[coffeebean]

In reference to the OP, who entered at 6, I was indicating what the person who entered at 12 could possibly do. Easy peasy.
If I enter the rotary at a one lane entrance (Cason Hammock for example) I am put on the outside lane. If I want to go north on Meggison, 3/4 of the way around, I must change to the inside lane. There are exceptions to the dont change lanes on the rotary rule depending on the lines on the road.

I you are going to circulate 3/4 of the way around, you should enter the RAB in the inside (left) lane. You should not change lanes when in the RAB.

[coffeebean]

Good list, but one change should be made…

Avoid driving next to ALL vehicles.

This ^^^^^^^^^^^

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

There is no need for different signage on Morse. If you are northbound then only the right lane would exit onto Moyer and if you are southbound then only the left lane would exit onto Moyer - this is the same for all roundabouts.

The different signage is on Pinellas. Because Moyer is only a single lane, the signage indicates that only the right lane is allowed to proceed straight (180 degrees) onto Moyer; the sign shows the left lane turning left only (270 degrees).

OBB had another example of El Camino Real / Morse / Paige Place in the north. At that roundabout the signs on El Camino Real also indicate only the right lane can proceed straight (180 degrees) onto the single-lane Paige Place.

Again - if you are going 270 degrees coming from 441 wanting to "take a left" onto Paige Place, it means you are entering that roundabout on the inside lane. You are not /allowed/ to enter on the outside lane, and go 3/4 around the circle. That means when you get to that exit on Paige Place, you are in the INSIDE lane, and must merge onto a single-lane exit.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

I was looking, via Google Maps satellite views, for an instance in TV where two lanes merge into one, in a roundabout, and couldn't find one. I wanted to examine the striping in such a situation. All I could find were RABs that exited in all exits, with two lanes, and merged into one after the exit, usually at an village entry gate.

Can you find an example? I'd like to look at it from the bird's eye view.

I've specified several times. There's the Morse/Paige/El Camino Real circle. The southern-most entrance is heading north on Morse toward 441. The eastern entrance comes from Paige Place, heading west toward El Camino Real.

The EXIT onto Paige Place is a single-lane exit, and merges IN the traffic circle with no dotted line. People coming from 441 toward Paige Place will enter on the inside lane, go 3/4 around the circle, and merge into a single lane with whoever is coming in from El Camino Real or Morse. FYI - El Camino Real is just the name of the same road as Paige Place, but the name changes at this traffic circle.

The person coming in from 441 won't know that other people are already in the circle, because the circle is landscaped in the middle and no one can see directly across from their entry spot. People coming in from Morse toward Page Place won't be able to see that someone has already entered the circle on 441, heading their way. Anyone coming in from Morse, wanting to go across to 441, MAY be on the outside lane. It is allowed. But if they choose to do that, they will be risking traffic coming from their left - from El Camino Real or 441, trying to take the exit onto Paige Place. Because there's only one lane at the point of exit onto Paige Place.

[coffeebean]

We should.

Now for the follow up question----how much do you trust the driver to do what his signal is indicating? Do you bet your life on it?

GE......you hit the nail on the head. I never trust any directional in a RAB. People think they are always making right turns when they actually may be going straight or making a left turn or even a U turn. Personally, I never use my directional in a RAB. If I am in the correct lane, there is no reason to signal when I'm leaving the RAB. I know...........my bad!

[coffeebean]

Seven pages in and yet there is still disagreement so I will ask this question.

If I am traveling down Morrison and enter a roundabout with the intention of taking the third exit to enter through Charlotte's gate, I obviously have to enter the circle on the inside lane. But once I am 180 degs around at the second exit, how do I enter either gate without crossing across the outside lane?

Doesn't it make sense the the vehicles entering the circle must yield with the expectation that one of the cars coming around will be leaving the outer lane to go through a gate?
I am not changing lanes. I am exiting the circle by crossing over the outside lane.

Hence the rule:

Approaching Roundabouts
• Reduce your speed and prepare to YIELD to all traffic
in the roundabout

and

Move up to the entrance line and wait for a gap in
traffic. DO NOT ENTER next to a vehicle in the roundabout, as that vehicle may be exiting at the next exit.
Well, that's your first mistake. It is not "Morrison", it is Morse.

[Bill14564]

Again - if you are going 270 degrees coming from 441 wanting to "take a left" onto Paige Place, it means you are entering that roundabout on the inside lane. You are not /allowed/ to enter on the outside lane, and go 3/4 around the circle. That means when you get to that exit on Paige Place, you are in the INSIDE lane, and must merge onto a single-lane exit.

Merge with who or what? Simply exit onto Paige Place in the only lane available - no merging, swerving, or any other maneuver required.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Merge with who or what? Simply exit onto Paige Place in the only lane available - no merging, swerving, or any other maneuver required.

There are two lanes in the roundabout. An inner lane, and an outer lane. EXCEPT at that one spot, where the roundabout exits to Paige Place. There, it's only one lane. There is no dotted line, because it's just a single lane.

If you're there because you came from 441, it means you have just merged from the inner lane, to the single lane in order to exit onto Paige.

If you're there because you came from El Camino Real or Morse, means you just merged from the outer lane, to the single lane in order to EITHER exit into Paige, OR to continue through to the traffic light at 441.

Add to it that the entire roundabout has a second roundabout outlining it - the golf cart path. That path crosses each exit/entrance to and from the roundabout.

There are enough fender benders and golf cart vs. car incidents to demonstrate that this is an actual problem at this roundabout.

[Bill14564]

There are two lanes in the roundabout. An inner lane, and an outer lane. EXCEPT at that one spot, where the roundabout exits to Paige Place. There, it's only one lane. There is no dotted line, because it's just a single lane.

If you're there because you came from 441, it means you have just merged from the inner lane, to the single lane in order to exit onto Paige.

If you're there because you came from El Camino Real or Morse, means you just merged from the outer lane, to the single lane in order to EITHER exit into Paige, OR to continue through to the traffic light at 441.

Add to it that the entire roundabout has a second roundabout outlining it - the golf cart path. That path crosses each exit/entrance to and from the roundabout.

There are enough fender benders and golf cart vs. car incidents to demonstrate that this is an actual problem at this roundabout.

When I see the word merge I envision two vehicles approaching the same point at the same time which should never happen in this roundabout. If it does occur then it is because a vehicle entered the roundabout without yielding to the traffic already there (the vehicle on the inside lane). Yes, if someone does not yield then there will be problems.

[Laker14]

There are two lanes in the roundabout. An inner lane, and an outer lane. EXCEPT at that one spot, where the roundabout exits to Paige Place. There, it's only one lane. There is no dotted line, because it's just a single lane.

If you're there because you came from 441, it means you have just merged from the inner lane, to the single lane in order to exit onto Paige.

If you're there because you came from El Camino Real or Morse, means you just merged from the outer lane, to the single lane in order to EITHER exit into Paige, OR to continue through to the traffic light at 441.

Add to it that the entire roundabout has a second roundabout outlining it - the golf cart path. That path crosses each exit/entrance to and from the roundabout.

There are enough fender benders and golf cart vs. car incidents to demonstrate that this is an actual problem at this roundabout.

When I see the word merge I envision two vehicles approaching the same point at the same time which should never happen in this roundabout. If it does occur then it is because a vehicle entered the roundabout without yielding to the traffic already there (the vehicle on the inside lane). Yes, if someone does not yield then there will be problems.


I see OBB's point. Looking at the satellite view of this RAB, there are two lanes in the RAB, coming from El Camino Real, still two lanes as it passes the Morse exit, and the outside lane is not required by the striping to exit the RAB onto Morse, and both lanes are allowed to exit into only one lane onto the Paige exit.
So it seems to me you can have two cars who are both allowed by the design of the RAB, traveling side-by-side, or in close proximity, and both cars would be expecting to be able to make that turn into one lane.

Good place to be very careful.

[Laker14]

When I see the word merge I envision two vehicles approaching the same point at the same time which should never happen in this roundabout. If it does occur then it is because a vehicle entered the roundabout without yielding to the traffic already there (the vehicle on the inside lane). Yes, if someone does not yield then there will be problems.

Both cars could have entered simultaneously from both lanes of El Camino Real.

[Bill14564]

Both cars could have entered simultaneously from both lanes of El Camino Real.

Nothing prevents that and no lane markings conflict with that. However, the signage on El Camino Real clearly indicates that only the outside lane can exit onto Paige Place. The first allowable exit for the inside lane when entering from El Camino Real is Morse Blvd North. Since only the outside lane can exit to Paige Place for vehicles entering from El Camino Real there is no merge required.

For completeness:
- For vehicles heading south on Morse, only the inside lane would be allowed to exit to Paige Place - no merge required
- For vehicles heading north on Morse, only the outside lane would be allowed to exit to Paige Place - no merge required

[Flyers999]

I know it’s time to put this thread to bed, but I can’t help one more. I’m from New Jersey (NJ) where there are plenty of roundabouts (RAs). I love them. In NJ we call them circles, although the rules aren’t as consistent as they are here. Sometimes the vehicle entering the RA has the right of way, etc. Depends on the location.

I’ve been here five years and here is how I’ve been staying accident free. Most of the accidents occur when one is entering an RA in the left (inner) lane and intends to do a 180 (or greater). Then there is someone entering the RA at 90 NOT intending to turn right. Here’s what I do. I take a quick look at the driver to see whether they are a villager. Some of the signs are the person’s age and the condition/age of the auto. If they look like a non-villager and are near to me when I’m in the RA, I just continue around the RA. Subsequently turning a 180 into a 540.
It’s happened around a dozen times and I believe I saved two accidents so far. I honked but I don’t think the driver got it on both of those occasions.