As an American that knows how to use roundabouts due to many years in Europe and time in other places that use them, I hate them in the US, not because of my ability, but because of other idiots. Always have to be cautious that someone is going to do some shit like this, because they often do.
Honestly I think a lot of the US roundabouts are just placed poorly. They’re too far to one side or too small for the roads they’re on. There’s one by my house that’s on a 35mph road and it’s like 3 ft in diameter, makes no sense. It worked fine as a T intersection with one stop sign and now people treat it the same as if it still were.
> 3 ft in diameter, makes no sense.
Sounds almost like a mini roundabout. And they make sense, it's for when there isn't room for a proper roundabout but they want roundabout rules to apply. Obviously don't know your specific example but they can be super useful for traffic flow, preventing queues were it a traditional t junction, and are generally safer than a t junction which allow for high speed and severe angle t-bone accidents.
And as a bonus in North America where they are obsessed with stop signs, it also means you can keep moving at quiet times of the day rather than having to come to an unnecessary stop!
Plenty of lopsided or tiny roundabouts in the UK, just means they were a later addition to the road, the bad ones are actually the new constructions at least in my area.
One is oversized for the traffic level so everyone just straddles the two lanes so they aren't flung out miles off to one side.
The other has a steep drop on entry, then you go up like riding a Pringle, which wasn't there before the road was "improved", it was just a gentle slope, now I've seen buses bottom out on it, and one HGV with forklift on the rear burnt rubber - the forklift tyre hit the ground and scraped.
Recent studies show that something like 80% of people who own these big SUVs very rarely actually use any of the cargo/passenger space. They're just driving themselves around in them. Probably too chicken-shit of their own bad driving to drive a normal sized car.
I will point out that the other car would not have known whether the OP was heading straight or turning left until the last second or two. I think it saw that and then braked relatively quickly. Regardless, everyone must enter these types of intersections cautiously.
The great thing about roundabouts. You miss your exit, or some idiot cuts you off, just go around again and get it on the next round.
"Look kids ... Big Ben, Parliament..."
Thank you for this comment
Or just keep going around it for a fun and legal way to do donuts, especially if they're smaller roundabouts.
How dare you make sense
"I have a big car, so I have right of way"
Roundabouts would be fine if everyone bothered to learn how to use them
Be in the correct lane and yield to cars that would crash into the side of you if you blast the sign. That's about it.
>Yield There's your problem right there. Yielding implies that you're submitting to others, and we've got our pride, dontcha'know?
What's that yield thing?
Hell a not insignificant % of people cant even handle yielding, intersections or merging, without combining them.
Some motorists make roundabouts more difficult than they need to be. Good thing you were paying attention
Good choice, you nailed it. Unlike the idiots who never give up their initial route! We see so much of that on here. Just wild
As an American that knows how to use roundabouts due to many years in Europe and time in other places that use them, I hate them in the US, not because of my ability, but because of other idiots. Always have to be cautious that someone is going to do some shit like this, because they often do.
Whenever I see Americans and roundabouts my fleshy sprocket puckers somewhat.
> fleshy sprocket eew!
Honestly I think a lot of the US roundabouts are just placed poorly. They’re too far to one side or too small for the roads they’re on. There’s one by my house that’s on a 35mph road and it’s like 3 ft in diameter, makes no sense. It worked fine as a T intersection with one stop sign and now people treat it the same as if it still were.
> 3 ft in diameter, makes no sense. Sounds almost like a mini roundabout. And they make sense, it's for when there isn't room for a proper roundabout but they want roundabout rules to apply. Obviously don't know your specific example but they can be super useful for traffic flow, preventing queues were it a traditional t junction, and are generally safer than a t junction which allow for high speed and severe angle t-bone accidents. And as a bonus in North America where they are obsessed with stop signs, it also means you can keep moving at quiet times of the day rather than having to come to an unnecessary stop!
From what I see on this sub, I agree with you. However you must admit the roundabout in the video is truly amazing. Especially for American standards!
Plenty of lopsided or tiny roundabouts in the UK, just means they were a later addition to the road, the bad ones are actually the new constructions at least in my area. One is oversized for the traffic level so everyone just straddles the two lanes so they aren't flung out miles off to one side. The other has a steep drop on entry, then you go up like riding a Pringle, which wasn't there before the road was "improved", it was just a gentle slope, now I've seen buses bottom out on it, and one HGV with forklift on the rear burnt rubber - the forklift tyre hit the ground and scraped.
Holy shit lmao
What
Recent studies show that something like 80% of people who own these big SUVs very rarely actually use any of the cargo/passenger space. They're just driving themselves around in them. Probably too chicken-shit of their own bad driving to drive a normal sized car.
Good defensive driving OP
I don’t think I’ve ever had a good time on that roundabout.
https://www.google.com/maps/@38.8886707,-94.5241313,3a,75y,337.9h,95.17t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sPBeFJgQx0m753e4UX2QfRA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192
I don't think abortions are legal anymore.
Americans and roundabouts
Roundabouts and the metric system, Americans just can’t comprehend.
I will point out that the other car would not have known whether the OP was heading straight or turning left until the last second or two. I think it saw that and then braked relatively quickly. Regardless, everyone must enter these types of intersections cautiously.
“Fuck you and fuck your yield” - Cadillac probably
Well technically….all traffic signs are optional….
I drove past a accident in a roundabout yesterday. Same thing happened there but they met in the middle. Idiots.
The US has the poorest driving IQ in roundabouts.