by "Urambo Tauro" (urambotauro)
Published 05/11/2017 at 20:00
by "Urambo Tauro" (urambotauro)
Published 05/11/2017 at 20:00
Tags: roundabouts
; traffic circles
; turn signals
; discussion
STARS: 0
A few weeks ago, Ryan posted an article on Jalopnik to help dispel the mysteries surrounding roundabouts, which in recent years have only just begun to catch on in Michigan. It was a nice, short article, based on MDOT’s simplification of the proper procedure. Unfortunately, MDOT’s explanation only briefly mentioned the use of a turn signal.
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So I decided to start a conversation there, asking commenters what they thought was the proper procedure for signalling when using a roundabout. The responses flowed like crazy for the next couple of days, as debates raged over how to use them, and whether they were even necessary at all.
The discussion eventually trailed off, until after about a month, I received a reply from user dolsh. While it echoed some of the previous responses, it also contained a link to Waterloo’s explanation of how a roundabout works, which was simple, thorough, organized, and importantly: authoritative (at least for that area).
Turning Right
• Signal right as you approach the roundabout in the right-hand lane. Maintain your signal through the roundabout and stay in the right-hand lane. Maintain your signal as you exit in the right-hand lane.
Going Straight
• Do not signal as you approach the roundabout and select the appropriate lane. Stay in this lane until you need to exit the roundabout. Signal right prior to your exit, and exit from the lane you are in.
Turning Left
• Signal left as you approach the roundabout in the left-hand lane. Maintain your signal through the roundabout and stay in the left-hand lane. Signal right prior to your exit, and exit in the left-hand lane.
Going full circle (U-turn)
• Signal left as you approach the roundabout in the left-hand lane. Maintain your signal through the roundabout and stay in the left-hand lane. Signal right prior to your exit, and exit in the left-hand lane.
Nice, isn’t it? It comprehensively communicates your every move to other drivers in a way that not only avoids collisions, but also lets them know when your path won’t be a conflict.
Say you’re approaching a roundabout and you see a car making its way around from the other side. Where is that driver going? Do you have to stop and wait for them to complete their turn across your path? Or are they going to leave the circle earlier, and are therefore none of your concern? Proper signalling removes this doubt, and can give you a chance to avoid stopping unnecessarily.
It’s also beneficial for the vehicle approaching the roundabout to signal. Sure, that signal may be irrelevant to the right-of-way-bearing vehicle already moving through the circle, but it gives valuable information to drivers behind the waiting car, who in some cases may want to choose another lane (if available) through the circle.
Unfortunately, my home state of Michigan apparently requires only that you signal to
exit
the circle.
(Welp, at least it’s not
il
legal for me to adopt Waterloo’s superior system and proceed to use my signal
before and during
the roundabout, as appropriate.)
Now, Michigan’s relatively weak position on turn signals here might seem like a mere oversight, but check this out: As I was researching this topic, I happened to stumble upon a bit of news from our neighbor to the south, Indiana. The city of Carmel had apparently been debating this very issue:
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That’s right, despite having an actual discussion on the subject, the council decided against requiring turn signals in roundabouts. To be fair, they do claim to have an interest in encouraging drivers to use their signals anyway, just as a courtesy. But they’ve given into pressure from drivers who aren’t up to the task. “When you go to actually try to do it, it’s a lot more confusing than it sounds,” claimed one local resident. “I don’t think it’s going to enhance traffic flow,” said another.
The proposed (and subsequently shot down) ordinance requiring the use of turn signals would have imposed a discretionary fine of up to $100, but in many cases, it would likely result in little more than a warning. Interestingly, Indiana already has a law on the books requiring that drivers signal “ before turning or changing lanes ”, and that statute does not appear to exclude circular intersections. Kinda makes you wonder...
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"ttyymmnn" (ttyymmnn)
05/11/2017 at 18:05, STARS: 1
The only problem with that wonderful advice is that the majority of Americans remain absolutely stumped when it comes to roundabouts, and nobody knows how to use a turn signal.
"facw" (facw)
05/11/2017 at 18:14, STARS: 1
I still maintain that signalling left as you enter the roundabout is asinine. It makes entirely no sense. The roundabout should basically be treated as a one way road. You signal when you turn onto it (though this isn’t necessary), and signal to the right when your exit from the roundabout is next. Use your turn signal in the appropriate direction to signal lane changes within a multi-lane roundabout.
Among other flaws, the rules you’ve posted don’t take into account that roundabouts may have any number of exits in any directions. And of course what the hell does it even mean to maintain your signal through the roundabout. How far do you take it through? Do you have some cars with a right signal, some cars with no signal, and some cars with a left signal at the same place and going to the same exit simply because they entered at different points?
"Urambo Tauro" (urambotauro)
05/11/2017 at 18:33, STARS: 1
That’s why there needs to be an education campaign, as was done for seat belts with “click it or ticket”.
"Urambo Tauro" (urambotauro)
05/11/2017 at 18:40, STARS: 1
I can’t speak for other states, but Michigan currently prohibits lane changes within the roundabout. The lanes are clearly marked well ahead of time, the idea being that you pick your lane (if there are multiple lanes to choose from) before entering the circle. No need to worry about what cars next to each other in the circle will do, because the roundabout is designed to prevent their paths from crossing. (Note that we don’t have giant unmarked free-for-alls around here, like the Place Charles de Gaulle .)
A left turn signal upon entry can be beneficial to the driver behind you, if you are in a through/left turn lane, and there is another through/right turn lane available. No need for through-traffic to wait unnecessarily behind a left-turner. And no one in their right mind is going to mistake your left blinker as an intention to go the wrong way through the circle.
"XJDano" (xjdano)
05/11/2017 at 18:50, STARS: 1
MoDot has the answer, diverging diamond.
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Although it’s really only good for interstate Interchanges, it took a while to drivers to realize what was happening.
"facw" (facw)
05/11/2017 at 18:52, STARS: 0
Seems like you’d still have to change lanes sometime if you have more exits than lanes. And why would you need to wait for a left turn? The whole point of a roundabout is that there is no waiting once you are in.
"Urambo Tauro" (urambotauro)
05/11/2017 at 19:02, STARS: 0
The only waiting is supposed to be prior to entering the circle. It doesn’t always go as planned, but that’s the idea. It’s similar to the concept of not entering a standard intersection unless you can make it all the way through . You don’t want to block a circle any more than you’d want to be the one blocking the box.
Unfortunately, the limited visibility of some roundabouts screws with that if you have a busy road that’s backed up all the way to the circle.
"facw" (facw)
05/11/2017 at 19:18, STARS: 0
I find it extremely depressing that apparently people turn right to stay on the right side instead of following the traffic pattern. Personally, while diverging diamonds are cool, I prefer roundabout (or squished roundabout) style interchanges. We are way to addicted to stop signs/lights here in the US.
"Tekamul" (tekamulburner)
05/11/2017 at 20:16, STARS: 0
In my state of VT, only signalling upon exit is required. Signalling when entering wouldn’t really work, as our traffic circles are far less standardized. For example, the circle I go through daily has two lanes, 6 entrances/exits, and only one of the entrances/exits is 2 lanes. Also, there are 3 small rows of angled parking attached.
It use to have two sets of stop lights for pedestrians in the middle of it, but after the millionth rear ending, they removed them, and the pedestrian path.
" The Compromiser" (charger)
05/11/2017 at 22:14, STARS: 0
I live half an hour from Waterloo. They have one road That from north to south must have a dozen of these fuckers.
I found those videos and it was like a light from the heavens. I zip through on those like I’m Lewis Hamilton now. I’m more scared of everyone else.