Roundabouts Are Becoming Popular; But Are They Best For Trucks?

Roundabouts: They're either a boon to traffic efficiency or a truck driver's worst nightmare. Which is it?

Roundabouts are becoming popular; but are they best for trucks?

They coming popular everywhere. There is place I've been several times in Indiana. This one road I had to travel to get to it has four roundabouts in a row. And each one my tandoms hit the corner of the roundabout. They were redoing a other one to make it easier for trucks to navigate around. They serve a purpose. But I have to take up both lanes to navigate them. I know it is not ok with the locals there but what can I do. It's better than taking one of their cars out.

But I have to take up both lanes to navigate them. I know it is not ok with the locals there but what can I do. It's better than taking one of their cars out.

I too show zero concern for the locals when it comes to a roundabout, and purposely take all the room I can to keep them from getting on my inside or outside and being squished. Call it defensive blocking.

NJ didnt have one or two lane "Roundabouts" we had hell hole "Circles" made of three and four lanes. No one would want to yield and they were so.dangerous and rush hour traffic would double the problems. God forbid it rain, there were not enough drains and the circles would flood.

They decided to swap the pattern. Before those entering the center yielded to the ones in the circle. Then the law changed and the ones in the circle yielded. Then they changed the yield depending on the congestion of the area. This only caused confusion cause no one reads signs and were banging into each other.

In 1987, NJ started removing the larger ones for lighted intersections. I drove them as a teen, but many are gone now. When I came out OTR i was shocked to see "baby circles". I thought..."awww how cute! It is pretending to be doing something with the 10 to 15mph speed limit".

I swear if the newer generation had to drive the Airport or Ellisburg circkes in camden or cherry hill, they would need Xanax.

This one has a 12ft clearance bridge between the two circles and at least two a month, a truck hits it.

I just blow my horn really long and go through the roundabouts, which works everywhere but in on the East Coast.... NJ, Boston, Washington DC... they just don't care and try to race you.

But I have to take up both lanes to navigate them. I know it is not ok with the locals there but what can I do. It's better than taking one of their cars out.

I too show zero concern for the locals when it comes to a roundabout, and purposely take all the room I can to keep them from getting on my inside or outside and being squished. Call it defensive blocking.

I three! One problem I've seen with Roundabouts is drivers not taking the space given to them while navigating them. We have a store in Mankato MN that requires I go through 2 of them within a block of each other and there's always fresh tire tracks through the grass. If my dumba$$ can navigate it without jumping a curb anyone can! Always take as much room as available and use the apron if necessary. Many states have laws giving trucks the right of way but dont expect anyone to abide by it.

BTW, many of the newer ones have slanted centers allowing the trucks to safely use the curb. At least they got that right

I swear if the newer generation had to drive the Airport or Ellisburg circkes in camden or cherry hill, they would need Xanax.

I'm currently searching for my "safe" place after seeing those photos

Here's what the NJ DMV manual.says:

“There are no set rules driving into, around and out of a traffic circle in New Jersey. Common sense and caution must prevail at all times.”

Common sense driving in NJ...tell me another joke.

“In most cases, the circle’s historically established traffic flow pattern dictates who has the right of way.”

Translation: People's driving in this area sucks so badly we cannot try to enforce a rule.change, they wont care.

“Never enter a traffic circle without checking all signs and determining the intentions of the motorists already moving in the circle.”

Translation: Be a mind reader and expect the idiot in the middle to not know what to do. Expect a lot of throttle punching followed by brakes slamming. Look for out of state plates, because they will most likely yield to you and be considerate.

I saw some in Arizona where trucks simply can not fit so there are a bunch of tire tracks over it.

Roundabouts have become very popular in Wisconsin and elsewhere. I actually like them. All the newer ones are designed with trucks/trailers taken into consideration. They have the "truck aprons", as Rainy noted and it's perfectly acceptable to run your tandems up on the apron. In a truck, I navigate through them VERY SLOWLY and as G-Town says, ALWAYS WATCH YOUR WAGON while in a roundabout. And never worry about other drivers getting irritated. Our sole mission is to navigate these roundabouts safely.