Hugh wrote to us and asked us to post his concerns about the use of roundabouts:
I have a topic for you to post on Magnolia Voice. It’s one that frustrates me to no end and I think some people will have an opinion on this. To often I find that many drivers in Magnolia do not know how to use roundabouts at intersections; also known as traffic circles. Since we have many of these types of intersections here in the neighborhood, I think it’d be helpful to post the WSDOT instructions on how to use roundabouts. In my opinion, the top three roundabout tips for Magnolians (or Seattleites for that matter) are:
- Yield when entering the roundabout
- When entering, always stay to the right
- Do not stop before entering the roundabout unless absolutely necessary
Hugh even found this video with an explanation on how to use roundabouts.
It is wrong to equate traffic circles with roundabouts. Roundabouts intersect arterial lanes while traffic circles intersect residential streets. So the video is wrong.
The common misconception about traffic circles is that you must always stay to the right. This is not true all the time. From the SDOT website:
“…there are instances when drivers may need to turn left before a traffic circle, such as when cars park too closely to the right side of a circle or when a driver can’t maneuver a larger vehicle around to the right. Turning left in front of a traffic circle in those instances can be safely performed if the driver exercises reasonable care and yields to pedestrians, bicyclists, and oncoming traffic.”
So with caution you may “cut across” a traffic circle but not a roundabout if the situation calls for it. Just cutting across to go faster is not allowed. It’s a judgment call. The above section is actually written into the code, either Seattle or Washington, but I can’t find the actual code at this moment. I have seen it in the code before though.
It is wrong to equate traffic circles with roundabouts. Roundabouts intersect arterial lanes while traffic circles intersect residential streets. So the video is wrong.
The common misconception about traffic circles is that you must always stay to the right. This is not true all the time. From the SDOT website:
“…there are instances when drivers may need to turn left before a traffic circle, such as when cars park too closely to the right side of a circle or when a driver can’t maneuver a larger vehicle around to the right. Turning left in front of a traffic circle in those instances can be safely performed if the driver exercises reasonable care and yields to pedestrians, bicyclists, and oncoming traffic.”
So with caution you may “cut across” a traffic circle but not a roundabout if the situation calls for it. Just cutting across to go faster is not allowed. It’s a judgment call. The above section is actually written into the code, either Seattle or Washington, but I can’t find the actual code at this moment. I have seen it in the code before though.
Thanks Hugh, though I feel it’s almost more important for people to understand what to do at an unmarked intersection, which doesn’t have the benefit of a traffic-calming “traffic circle”. Always yield to the cars to your right in an unmarked intersection, regardless. Always – even when you’re late and speeding in your big suv and going through a school zone.
Traffic circles are nothing like roundabouts, aside from having something circular in the middle. Roundabouts exist to keep traffic flowing in a safe manner (they work, if people know how to use them). Traffic circles are just an annoying alternative to speed bumps that doesn’t really work and cause problems for delivery trucks.
Do they have a video on how to double park outside the post office. Because you are so important, Fat, out of shape, and really don’t care about anybody else? Or how to park in the village by braille, dent the other car and don’t leave a note.
Do they have a video on how to double park outside the post office. Because you are so important, Fat, out of shape, and really don’t care about anybody else? Or how to park in the village by braille, dent the other car and don’t leave a note.
Neighborhoood non-arterial “roundabouts” are not the same as the ones described in the WSDOT website. Roundabout is probably not the proper name for them. I think the City of Seattle has a different name for them.
My understanding for the neighborhood “roundabouts” is that it is OK cut across to the left side of the circle when making a left turn.
Technically you are suppose to ‘ go around’ the roundabout – not cut across!
While the city does not currenlty prohibit cutting the traffic circle on the left, it is extremely dangerous and can cause considrable congestion and frustration. IN an instnace that happened to me, I circled around the traffic circle, with my turn signal on well in advance, while the car trailing me cut the traffic circle and of cousrse as I came around the circle, he almost collided with my car.
All too frequently those cutting the traffic circle will come head on into an approaching vehicle on the left and there is no room for the turning vehicle to squeeze between the curb and the traffic circle. If there are additional cars behind either of the two vehicles, this results in much delay and frustration as one or the other drive has to back up, as well as the car(s) behind. Larger vehicles such as trucks and SUVs cutting the left just add to the congestion.
Traffic circles are a pain – police, fire, medical people don’t like them. They would much prefer speed bumps placed a few yards before “problem” intersections to slow traffic as it approaches intersections.
WA Drivers Guide say’s…
Other traffic control devices ? There are other traffic
control devices used to discourage speeding and reduce
collisions in residential areas. These devices have a
variety of shapes. If you see speed bumps, curbing
that narrows the roadway, or circular islands in
intersections, slow down and keep to the right unless
otherwise posted.
Unless you’re a metro bus taking a shortcut to the start of your next route. Then you get stuck halfway and block the street until the bus tow truck can get there 🙂
Oh yeah. And unless you’re on a bicycle or motorcycle, in which case most of these things make you swerve slightly, at most, so you can actually accelerate as going through them, especially if they’re at the bottom of a hill.
I don’t understand why Americans find roundabouts so difficult. They keep the flow of the traffic going w/out the use of lights or 4 way stop. You are not supposed to come to a complete stop!
Because we won a war so we don’t have to listen to limeys and their goofy traffic circles.
Let’s be clear here. Roundabouts are designed to go counter clockwise. I refuse to be subjugated to the myth that we need to go to the right of a residential circle. BS! I am going to take a left if it is safe to do so. A traffic circle is not the same thing as a roundabout!
Avidin, your allegory is most likely false. I circumnavigate the traffic circles via the left side option quite frequently. In fact, most of the time. I find that the tilt of my wheel is far less when using the opposing side. By the way, I do approach cautiously and am prepared to stop.
Avidin, your allegory is most likely false. I circumnavigate the traffic circles via the left side option quite frequently. In fact, most of the time. I find that the tilt of my wheel is far less when using the opposing side. By the way, I do approach cautiously and am prepared to stop.
I usually slow down before any traffic circle and watch for insane drivers speeding down. If there is no any, I continue. Then, if several vehicles approach a traffic circle at one time, I treat it just as an unmarked intersection, or 4-way stop. Anyway, I would rather prefer to wait a little until everyone drives by than repair my car later.
Can’t we blame any confusion on bicycle riders? They just ruin everything.
Both pedestrians and automobile drivers should team up together against bicycle riders. 2 versus 1, its good odds.
This topic has a rich history of discussion in Seattle’s newspapers. Here are some great links:
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/transportation/373400_getthere04.html
http://www.seattlepi.com/transportation/412487_gettingthere20.html
http://www.seattlepi.com/transportation/410768_gettingthere5.html
http://blog.seattlepi.com/seattle911/2008/09/03/do-you-have-to-drive-all-the-way-around-traffic-circles/
http://blog.seattlepi.com/seattleneighborhoodbuzz/2008/08/08/clarity-coming-on-turning-left-at-traffic-circles/
http://www.seattlepi.com/transportation/406735_gettingthere01.html
Roundabout etiquette is the biggest problem facing this city. Kudos, Hugh, for bringing this crucial issue to the forefront.