| deeman |
I have seen so many vehicles on the outer lane of a traffic circle go 3/4 around before exiting. I'm surprised there aren't more accidents, the one at Bonnie Doon is particularly bad for that.
Here's the question: If I enter the circle on the inside lane, take the second exit (so basically travelling straight through the circle) and sideswipe the vechile on the outer lane which entered the circle at the same time as I did but obviously kept travelling around the circle pass the second exit. Is the other driver at fault 100%? Does it matter where the impact happened? (ie, side to side impact or I cut him off trying to exit and get hit from behind, etc..) |
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| energie |
| i believe the guy on the inside has the right of way at all times |
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| albertarc |
quote:
Originally posted by deeman
I have seen so many vehicles on the outer lane of a traffic circle go 3/4 around before exiting. I'm surprised there aren't more accidents, the one at Bonnie Doon is particularly bad for that.
Here's the question: If I enter the circle on the inside lane, take the second exit (so basically travelling straight through the circle) and sideswipe the vechile on the outer lane which entered the circle at the same time as I did but obviously kept travelling around the circle pass the second exit. Is the other driver at fault 100%? Does it matter where the impact happened? (ie, side to side impact or I cut him off trying to exit and get hit from behind, etc..)
Here's a link to the "Traffic Circle" portion of the Basic Driver's Handbook. Remember when it comes to turning or making lane changes - always use your signal lights so other drivers know what you're doing. If you don't you could end up being at fault.
http://www.trans.gov.ab.ca/Content/...on/dhpage72.htm
Jimbo:drama: |
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| Mustard |
from that diagram and explination, it would seem, as i had already suspected, that you can travel in the outside circle as long as you want so long as you yield right of way to anyone on the inside lane that is exiting the circle.
However, if the person on the inside lane does not signal out (as jimbo hinted at) he can be liable for any collision that results. |
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| deeman |
Thanks guys.
That's why I always shoulder check and signal when I exit. I'd never put myself in a vulnerable position (especially when I'm on my motorcycle). It just makes me mad when I see careless drivers around... <just venting> |
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| TrevorK |
quote:
Originally posted by Mustard
from that diagram and explination, it would seem, as i had already suspected, that you can travel in the outside circle as long as you want so long as you yield right of way to anyone on the inside lane that is exiting the circle.
However, if the person on the inside lane does not signal out (as jimbo hinted at) he can be liable for any collision that results.
Correct - it is recommended not to use the outside lane for more than 1/4 turn because the inside can always turn.
However, keep in mind that if the inside doesn't signal, you will need witnesses to prove this. And most of the time, people don't stop (And who's to say that the police will ask them in their statements). |
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| snugs |
quote:
Originally posted by deeman
I have seen so many vehicles on the outer lane of a traffic circle go 3/4 around before exiting. I'm surprised there aren't more accidents, the one at Bonnie Doon is particularly bad for that.
That's a bad one. I always try to stay to the outside (for 1/2 circle or less) because I don't trust people who are sitting in my blind spot to yield when I signal to turn off. Safer to stay to the outside and keep a sharp eye on the people in front of you so you can yield if required.
OT- I've never seen these types of traffic circles anywhere else but here, roundabouts are one thing, but these local circles just seem to confuse the hell out of everybody. :( |
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| MX5 Miata Guy |
The fact that the left, or inside, lane has the right-of-way in a traffic circle, or as they're more aptly names, a roundabout, doesn't preclude standard driver requirements from remaining in effect.
If you don't signal your intentions, in a manner that's visible, you can still be at fault. This is why car manufacturers are moving (finally) towards locating a signal light on the front fender, between the door and the wheel.
Even when having signaled, it doesn't give you the right to ram / cut-off a car in the outside lane. You can only change lanes, which is what you're doing when exiting (this is why it's also legal to physically change lanes from inside to out, or vice-versa in a roundabout) if it's safe to do so. Fault will lie in which car hits the other and where the contact occured.
Therefore, if it's not safe to exit, go around again...that's half the fun anyways! ;) |
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| snugs |
quote:
Originally posted by MX5 Miata Guy
The fact that the left, or inside, lane has the right-of-way in a traffic circle, or as they're more aptly names, a roundabout, doesn't preclude standard driver requirements from remaining in effect.
Traffic circles and roundabouts are two different things that look almost exactly the same. :p
In a traffic circle you can have two lanes of traffic (inside and outside) while generally for roundabout its a single lane that everyone uses and instead of trying to get people on the outside to yield you just have to signal and peel off.
(My wife designs them and gave me a lecture on this one day on the way home from the grocery store.) :( |
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| MX5 Miata Guy |
As to the Bonnie Doon traffic circle, sadly, the City of Edmonton, through what political will there is, has not kept abreast of transportation design practices in terms of the modern roundabout.
The Bonnie Doon and NAIT traffic circles are far too large. The only one that works well is the one on 99 Avenue at the top of the river valley.
Sherwood Park also has a traffic circle (the goofy three-legged one on Sherwood Drive / Broadmoor Boulevard) which is also designed incorrectly (Alberta Transportation had a hand in it during the 60s). By today's standards, it should be made smaller, with slower entry speeds on the two direct through routes. But, Sherwood Park is also in the process of putting in a number of modern roundabouts in residential neighbourhoods on major collector roadways. Calgary is also doing so. It's only Edmonton that's lagging behind.
The conflict points in a four-way intersection number 32, whereas a modern roundabout has 8. It basically makes the difference between going home after a fender-bender or going to the hospital after a t-bone.
We need more roundabouts! |
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| MX5 Miata Guy |
While that is generally the case, the modern roundabout can be multi-lane, however, the practice is not to stripe them with lane-lines.
The four that still exist in Edmonton (one with signals) and the large one in Sherwood Park are all 40-yr old technology / design standards.
We can do much better now (I design them too) and feel that a lot of needless signalized intersections exist. |
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| snugs |
quote:
Originally posted by MX5 Miata Guy
As to the Bonnie Doon traffic circle, sadly, the City of Edmonton, through what political will there is, has not kept abreast of transportation design practices in terms of the modern roundabout.
The Bonnie Doon and NAIT traffic circles are far too large. The only one that works well is the one on 99 Avenue at the top of the river valley.
Sherwood Park also has a traffic circle (the goofy three-legged one on Sherwood Drive / Broadmoor Boulevard) which is also designed incorrectly (Alberta Transportation had a hand in it during the 60s). By today's standards, it should be made smaller, with slower entry speeds on the two direct through routes. But, Sherwood Park is also in the process of putting in a number of modern roundabouts in residential neighbourhoods on major collector roadways. Calgary is also doing so. It's only Edmonton that's lagging behind.
The conflict points in a four-way intersection number 32, whereas a modern roundabout has 8. It basically makes the difference between going home after a fender-bender or going to the hospital after a t-bone.
We need more roundabouts!
:bthumbup: :beer: |
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| snugs |
quote:
Originally posted by MX5 Miata Guy
While that is generally the case, the modern roundabout can be multi-lane, however, the practice is not to stripe them with lane-lines.
The four that still exist in Edmonton (one with signals) and the large one in Sherwood Park are all 40-yr old technology / design standards.
We can do much better now (I design them too) and feel that a lot of needless signalized intersections exist.
Multi-lane roundabout..... wheee, you'd need a miata for one of those, suburban auto-x! :beer:
ERTW! :blue: |
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| deeman |
Bottom line is, trust no one in a traffic circle/roundabout. If you know no one can hit you, you won't be hit.
:D :D :D |
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| DomesticDrifter |
| the inside lane always has the right of way. if you are traveling more then 1/2 way around the circle you are suposed to enter the inside lane. but people in this town are stupid and don't know how to drive them. |
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| deeman |
The way I interpret the Driver's Handbook (see albertarc's link above), one can travel more than 1/2 way around the circle in the outside lane as long as it's safe to so, apply the signal properly, and always yield to vehicle in the inside lane.
In practical tems, you're right, if all drivers don't use the outside lane for more than 1/2 way around, the circles will be a lot safer.
:bthumbup: |
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| P279 |
| Simply remember that when you're in the traffic circle, whomever is on your left has the right-of-way and if you're going to exit, it must be safe to do so. Simply because you're in the inside (left) lane of a traffic circle does not obviate you from having to look over your right shoulder to see if it's safe to exit. Other than that, it's just a fun road with a tight radius curve. Hang on!!! ;) |
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