Often times, people drive to a different state and are totally confused by traffic patterns that may be unfamiliar to them. In large metropolitan areas, it's usually complex freeway interchanges. Here in my home state of Maine, it's less complex, but many out of state (and local drivers, too) can't seem to get it. How to drive in a rotary.
What is a rotary?
A rotary is a a large intersection where traffic travels in a circular motion until reaching the desired exit. Rotaries in Maine may be one or two lanes. Other parts of the world may know them as roundabouts or traffic circles.
A one-lane rotary is the simplest. Upon approaching the rotary, slow down and be prepared to stop. Traffic already in the rotary has the right of way. You have a yield sign, but if there is not an acceptable gap, you have to stop and wait for a gap. When you find an acceptable gap, circle counter-clockwise around the center island until you find your exit. Put your right blinker on to indicate your intent to exit.
Two-lane rotaries (such as the two in Augusta) are what most tourists have difficulty with. The same right-of-way rules are in effect. But there are lane rules as well.
Yield to ALL traffic in the rotary in both lanes.
If you want to get off at the first exit, stay in the right-hand, or outside, lane.
If you want to get off at the second exit, you may use either the left-hand (inside) or right-hand (outside) lane.
And if you wish to take any exit after the second exit, stay in the left-hand (inside) lane.
As you enter the rotary and exit the rotary, maintain your position in your lane.
This picture shows a good example of proper lane usage.
If you do not know which exit you want, get in the inside lane and drive around the circle until you find it. If it was the first exit, circle around once and then exit. Do not attempt to go beyond the second exit in the right-hand (outside) lane.
Remember, always look over your shoulder before exiting and watch out, because not everyone follows the rules. Many people are intimidated by rotaries, but after you get used to them, you find they work quite well and keep traffic moving far better than a light.
Remember too, do not drive alongside big rigs, they may need more than one lane to negotiate the rotary. Always be considerate and give truckers ample room.
Joined: Aug 02, 2006
Posts: 374
Location: McLean, VA, USA
Posted:
Sun Aug 31, 2008 9:25 am
Welcome to Fun and Safe driving Melinuxfool!
Thanks a bunch, you psoted pretty comprehensive explanation with a great pic. Nothing to add really. I think I'll move it to the front page, if you don't mind
Actually you reminded me about a funny thing with rotaries in Russia. At the times I was driving there, by the law traffic on circle had to yield to traffic entering it. While traffic was light, it did not really make a difference, but when at the end of last century the number of cars in Moscow increased dramatically and traffic became heavy, those roundabouts became a disaster.
If you think about it, it is pretty much like entering an elevator. Those leaving it have a right of way, because there should be some room there freed up for those entering. Otherwise everybody got stuck. That is exactly what was happening all over the city, and Moscow have quite a few rotaries.
Since traffic laws in Russia are state-wide, and the rest of the country was pretty content with the current rule, Moscow government had go its own way and installed yield signs for those entering circles. It did help a lot, but it also confused out-of-the-city drivers a lot. I think they did not change the law still, but I may be wrong.
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