No surprise here. Driver education is sorely needed to make these things work. In Europe, roundabouts are very common, traffic moves very freely, and accidents are rare. USA drivers can’t even handle a freeway on-ramp, let alone a roundabout.
It is finally being noticed that roundabouts are dangerous. This is a classic example of “studies-driven” decision making, where engineering studies are taken as gospel and changes implimented based on them. What is missing is common sense. Most drivers obtained their drivers licenses at a time when there were no roundabouts. Hence, most drivers do not have a clue about who has the right-of-way when they begin to encounter roundabouts. How are these drivers expected to know who has the right-of-way? By osmosis? Or by reading laudatory engineering studies from Europe? So now, after all the accidents, someone comes up with the brilliant idea that people need instruction on how to handle roundabouts — after authorities utterly failed to educate the public, causing these accidents.
People do need to watch the pavement markings, watch the signs and be cognizant of their speed,” she said. “People need to be very cognizant about yielding. If we can get at that driving behavior, we can bring these accidents down
So, they’re not working because Americans/New Yorkers won’t slow down or yield to other vehicles….SURPRISE !! (NOT) maybe the difference in Europe is just more common courtesy ??? !!!
No surprise here. Driver education is sorely needed to make these things work. In Europe, roundabouts are very common, traffic moves very freely, and accidents are rare. USA drivers can’t even handle a freeway on-ramp, let alone a roundabout.
My first time was a 2-laner in NJ. It took me 10 orbits in the inside lane to reach escape velocity! Give me a jug-handle any day.
It is finally being noticed that roundabouts are dangerous. This is a classic example of “studies-driven” decision making, where engineering studies are taken as gospel and changes implimented based on them. What is missing is common sense. Most drivers obtained their drivers licenses at a time when there were no roundabouts. Hence, most drivers do not have a clue about who has the right-of-way when they begin to encounter roundabouts. How are these drivers expected to know who has the right-of-way? By osmosis? Or by reading laudatory engineering studies from Europe? So now, after all the accidents, someone comes up with the brilliant idea that people need instruction on how to handle roundabouts — after authorities utterly failed to educate the public, causing these accidents.
I have not been able to figure out what the inside lane of a roundabout is useful for.
If you don’t want to make a right turn at the next exit you might use the inside lane. Also the inside lane is for semi-trailer truck maneuvers.
People do need to watch the pavement markings, watch the signs and be cognizant of their speed,” she said. “People need to be very cognizant about yielding. If we can get at that driving behavior, we can bring these accidents down
So, they’re not working because Americans/New Yorkers won’t slow down or yield to other vehicles….SURPRISE !! (NOT) maybe the difference in Europe is just more common courtesy ??? !!!