I try not to be negative but how is it not basic human instinct to know what to do when approaching a roundabout/traffic circle/rotary? I just don't get it. Check out this video of what happened when they installed one in Kentucky.

The reason we don't have more of these is simply due to the disdain for them in the Midwest. People hate them because...they don't know what to do in them. There are so many benefits to them... They're safer with less chance of collision, they allow everyone to get through an intersection overall more quickly as you don't need to stop at red lights when there's no perpendicular traffic at all, they allow for safe and legal U-turns and the long term cost is probably less than a traditional intersection as traffic lights which use electricity and are prone to going out, require maintenance and police to direct traffic. 

My mom hates them because she 'doesn't know what to do' inside of them at the few they have in Hilliard and Dublin. I'm surprised they're not a part of driver's education at the BMV and driving schools but hell, if people don't encounter them and experience going through them throughout their life, it probably wouldn't do any good. 

 

 

Edited July 18, 20213 yr by David

I've been through this very roundabout.  The problem with this one is there is no real raised center area.  I believe it's this way due to large semis who have to traverse it, but it makes it a bit more confusing.  Also, we aren't smart enough to use them, that's why everyone hates them. 

What do you mean by raised center area? Center of what? The actual circle in the middle of the intersection? I mean, common knowledge and logic, based on the patterns of how traffic in general works, should tell you that if you encounter a median causing a separation between a left and right lane, you should stay to the right and once inside the circle, just circle around until you can take the street you need.  

 

The fact that truck drives who take additional training to get CDL certification, don't even know what to do in these, speaks volumes. Those trucks weigh up to 80 thousand pounds and they're going the wrong way.

I believe what richNcincy means it that on round-abouts that have semi-truck traffic, the circle in the center isn't raised as high because the trucks literally don't have the turning radius necessary to do the loop, so they have to drive over part of that center embankment. 

7 hours ago, Balkmusic said:

I believe what richNcincy means it that on round-abouts that have semi-truck traffic, the circle in the center isn't raised as high because the trucks literally don't have the turning radius necessary to do the loop, so they have to drive over part of that center embankment. 

 

Yes, this is what I meant. 

Fault the contractor, they opened the roundabout prior to installing proper signage and striping (or even cones). The striping plays an key role on the approaches, as it directs the traffic to the right of the splitter island. A few cones also would have helped direct traffic to the proper side of the splitters.  Once one car goes, its follow-the-leader. This is not the example to use  to damn the use of any roundabout.