Discussion On Roundabouts

The two right turn lane discussion got me thinking. Roundabouts, the latest craze in America. Some states like Wisconsin are converting many intersections into roundabouts. Especially those roundabouts with multiple lanes. How about those with 3 or 4 lanes thru? A single lane thru is fairly obvious. Yield to traffic in the circle. When your time comes enter the circle. The first issue is: big truck, little circle. If you notice a lot of roundabouts have a curved curb and a concrete or brick inner circle on the inside of the lanes. The reason for this is to allow Safe off tracking of larger vehicles. Now we get to multiple lanes. Which lane do you enter the circle from? Which lane(s) do you occupy inside the circle?

Let the discussion begin.

Btw, since I mentioned Wisconsin, they have a law concerning large vehicles inside a roundabout. Fairly simple. Once a vehicle larger than 40’ enters a roundabout (when it is safe and legal to do so) they have right of way inside the roundabout. It is illegal to ‘pass’ one that is inside a roundabout. So your section of roundabout is all yours. All the lanes. The law even covers entering the roundabout. If there are multiple lanes from the same direction and a large and smaller vehicle are waiting to enter. when the opening comes to enter the larger vehicle has the right of way to enter first. Even if they are in the right lane.

I've always found it odd that they would even create a roundabout with more than one lane. Seems like too much of a hazard.

I would say the same rule applies to roundabouts as it does to turns; stay on the outside.

From the outside:

• You can monitor the traffic to your inside. If you're in the inside lane and the turn is tight enough you're going to have a blindspot to your outside.
• If the circle is fairly tight you'll want to be on the outside so your trailer tandems don't hit anything at the center of the circle
• When it comes time to leave the circle you have the outside lane already. If you need to swing wide in order to exit the circle you'll be able to see the traffic to your inside and know when it's safe to turn the tractor inward before turning outward to exit.

I think if you found yourself in the inside lane of a circle you'd realize quickly what a terrible position you're in.

In south jersey we had a few with up to five lanes. They have been converting them back to intersections. In jersey they are "circles" and not all have the outside lanes yeild.

Of course there is one with a low bridge clearance of like 12 foot and every week a truck hits it.

i say wait til its light then go and blow the air horn to let everyone know you are in control cause you are a big scary truck.

just kidding lol

My goal through any roundabout is not off track up entry /exit curve, and the center island. I use every available inch of space to accomplish this. Some are not big enough to do this, but I get as close as possible to no curve bumpage. Depending on the roundabout size, and traffic, I sometime throw my Hazzard lights on.

Lanes in a roundabout? I see no lanes, just available space to maneuver.

Only experience I had was in England they have tons roundabouts all over England. There is a big one in Rome,Italy that amazes me that there are not that many accidents. There are a few in Sacramento, Ca. But not that many.

Which "Vacation" movie was it where they were stuck in a roundabout forever?

Which "Vacation" movie was it where they were stuck in a roundabout forever?

European in England..."Look kids, big ben, parliament."

I would stick with the outside lane. Think of the predicament you're in when you need to exit the roundabout. You're not going to be able to see a vehicle hovering near the right rear side of your trailer. That's a bad position to be in.

I usually find myself occupying most of both lanes, when there are two. I’m driving in the outer lane, but trailer still off-tracks into inner lane. The four-wheelers afford me space... even though I’m going at it slowly, I’m not in the roundabout for very long. Unlike The Griswolds.

I usually find myself occupying most of both lanes, when there are two. I’m driving in the outer lane, but trailer still off-tracks into inner lane. The four-wheelers afford me space... even though I’m going at it slowly, I’m not in the roundabout for very long. Unlike The Griswolds.

Did a bunch in class. Discussed yesterday with trainer in truck. Some (mostly on truck routes) are designed for us. Some are not. Looks like the trick is recognizing early which it is, setting up properly and protecting all lanes which are needed.