Continuing on from Part A of this topic, I was thinking wouldn’t it be nice if we signalled our intentions to our fellow travellers, especially when using roundabouts. It is very rare to be advised by the car that is coming round the circle that they are going to cross our path. You’d think they would do so in the interests of self-preservation, but no, we just have to assume that is what they will do. The problem with assuming is that like the roll of the dice we will mostly get it wrong.
The next time you use a roundabout first make certain you signal your intention, but also take a quick little check to record the number of times you are given a signal. It just seems to run against the grain to do so. I have no answer other than to keep hammering home the dual messages of “enter the roundabout in the left lane unless taking the first exit, and indicate your intention”.
I considered putting in a couple of graphics to show the point I am trying to make, but there is no real substitute for going to see for oneself the organised pandemonium. It gets worse at the hybrid roundabouts that have the main road running straight through the middle. These are neither one thing nor the other, and should be approached with the greatest of caution. I have no idea what these engineers had in mind. Whatever it was, it does not work too well. For one thing, other than the through traffic, all other vehicles tend to gather in the holding areas on the side streets awaiting their green lights where mass confusion reigns.
Imagine a situation where the car in the far right wants to cross over two or more lanes to get to the far left, and a car on the far left wants to do the vice-versa. Now, multiply by a factor of dozens. Welcome to the intersection from hell.
This topic is so complicated that the greater in-depth I go the law of diminishing returns begins to apply. So, I will end here with this summary: (a) if roundabouts confuse you, go and observe for yourself. You will instantly see who is doing it correctly and how.
(b): Try it as suggested above, you’ll like it, because when done with care and skill it really is a thing of beauty. Just be careful and execute it slowly.
Death on the roads? It doesn’t have to end like that!
Stay safe! Drive safely!
Copyright (c) 2008 Eugene Carmichael
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