Roundabouts

[syndicated44]

I have a strange question about these things. I live in the states in small city. For some reason we have for the past few years started putting in roundabouts. They started out as experiments on small country roads and have wormed their way into the city. Their small ones that are used at intersections instead of traffic lights. Dont get me wrong I dont really have a problem with them their just different so I guess its a nice change?

But here is where my question comes in, they are planning to use roundabouts as on and off ramps. I am just wondering if this is commonplace anywhere else or is our zoning board just deciding to show off to the other cities?

 

[Meggiepants]

I lived in the Detroit area for six years, and we had these things everywhere. I actually don't like them, because once people get used to them, they stop using them correctly. Of course, that's in the Detroit area, where people drive like maniacs. They never used them as on and off ramps that I can recall. They also have a ton of these in D.C. and after standing on the street for about fifteen minutes watching people try to navigate the road at Dupont Circle, I understood why all my D.C. friends said they don't own cars. Yeesh.

 

[delet]

I live in Indiana and they've been rushing construction on roundabouts and complicated highway roundabouts. There's like a figure 8 roundabout, but you can't go through the center and you can get off on the sides to get on the highway...

It's fancy and confusing, but ultimately is saves money, leads to less accidents, and you get to go in circles! Yay circles!

 

[El Poncho]

We've always had them in Britain(I think), we also have roundabouts with traffic lights! It's exciting I know.

 

[More Fun To Compute]

I actually don't like them, because once people get used to them, they stop using them correctly.

Heh, here in the UK I make a point of indicating properly when I'm using them but so many people get it completely wrong. Indicating the opposite of what they are doing, at the wrong time or mostly not at all. I think that the important thing is getting on and off without hitting anyone and most people manage that.

 

[Meggiepants]

We've always had them in Britain(I think), we also have roundabouts with traffic lights! It's exciting I know.

But we also have this thing:

So don't really take any tips from our road systems. I have touched that thing =D.

Good lord! Okay, I have to bookmark that image and show it to some people. I take it back, nothing wrong with Detroit's roads at all!

I actually don't like them, because once people get used to them, they stop using them correctly.

Heh, here in the UK I make a point of indicating properly when I'm using them but so many people get it completely wrong. Indicating the opposite of what they are doing, at the wrong time or mostly not at all. I think that the important thing is getting on and off without hitting anyone and most people manage that.

Do they honk a lot? When I was in D.C. people drove around with one hand on the wheel, and one hand over the horn. No one indicated anything to anyone. They just honked when they wanted to turn, honked when they were behind a bus, honked when they stopped, honked when they moved and honked when they felt like it. I'm surprised everyone who lives there isn't deaf by now.

 

[Private Custard]

We have a few 'interesting ones here in Britain. How about five small roundabouts around a big one!

Believe it or not, I grew up in a town with an even more confusing one.......and it works!

 

[More Fun To Compute]

I actually don't like them, because once people get used to them, they stop using them correctly.

Heh, here in the UK I make a point of indicating properly when I'm using them but so many people get it completely wrong. Indicating the opposite of what they are doing, at the wrong time or mostly not at all. I think that the important thing is getting on and off without hitting anyone and most people manage that.

Do they honk a lot? When I was in D.C. people drove around with one hand on the wheel, and one hand over the horn. No one indicated anything to anyone. They just honked when they wanted to turn, honked when they were behind a bus, honked when they stopped, honked when they moved and honked when they felt like it. I'm surprised everyone who lives there isn't deaf by now.

I don't live in a major city but there are still plenty of people who think that the horn also means "I'm frustrated." People normally do indicate and some people even let you out of side roads. Flashing lights and waving is our ambiguous signal of choice.

 

[El Poncho]

Do they honk a lot? When I was in D.C. people drove around with one hand on the wheel, and one hand over the horn. No one indicated anything to anyone. They just honked when they wanted to turn, honked when they were behind a bus, honked when they stopped, honked when they moved and honked when they felt like it. I'm surprised everyone who lives there isn't deaf by now.

Well, my dad just shouts in his car, gives them a look incase they are looking at him, and if drives by, keeps staring or gives them a look as if saying, get the fuck off my roads ,*****.

 

[Insanum]

As far as im aware, Warrington (UK, near me) is basically one big roundabout.

After working in car insurance, Let me tell you, Roundabouts are a pain.

 

[Meggiepants]

We have a few 'interesting ones here in Britain. How about five small roundabouts around a big one!

Spoiler: image of the craziest freaking intersection I have ever seen!

http://www.ellemosh.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/02/magic_roundabout.jpg

Believe it or not, I grew up in a town with an even more confusing one.......and it works!

Oh dear. You know, when I started posting on this thread, I had no idea how amusing it would be. I have to say, I don't think this would work here in the U.S. From my experience, we have difficulty navigating regular four way intersections. The above... well that's an insurance company's dream right there. Just having one of those in my city would raise the rates ten fold.

 

[zen5887]

I dig roundabouts so much more than traffic lights. Sure there are times roundabouts just don't work but most of the time they are better. My town is full of them, and up until last year there wasn't a single traffic light.

 

[Johnnyallstar]

go around twice if you're happy


also has some of the best "feel good" music ever

 

[Joe Deadman]

Just started driving lessons and quite frankly roundabouts are the bane of my existance. Other than that they seem to work alright here in the U.K and i'm starting to get used to them. It's just annoying when people don't indicate properly (sometimes I swear some drivers don't even known indicators exist so I guess there's no change there).

 

[Bofus Teefus]

In Las Vegas, NV, we had some roundabouts in an area next to a retirement community.

old people + new type of intersection = a bunch of people driving in the wrong direction

Now I'm in some midwestern hole and there are a few new roundabouts. The thing about midwestern drivers is that they are an inattentive bunch who can navigate a 4-way intersection. These roundabouts are going to give these drivers an aneurysm.