It’s the two lane roundabouts that drive me crazy. People entering, exiting, merging left and merging right constantly. How in the world is this supposed to be safer?!??!!!
The main principle to remember about traffic circles is this: traffic inside the circle keeps moving. (unless there are traffic signals in the circle, like DuPont Circle in Washington, DC)
Sometimes you have to get creative with your driving, which makes it a right brain thing too. I do come across a lot of people who seem to use only half their brain, or less, when driving.
When I first visited France in the ’60s the rule was that vehicles on the right had priority, meaning cars in the circle gave way to cars entering. It was chaos. Later the rule was changed to what it is today, cars entering must give way.
I cut my teeth driving the Somerville Circle — the most important thing is, once on the circle, DO NOT SLOW OR STOP unless you’re about to hit something. Keep moving.
Of course, now it’s a complete bollocks with an overpass and stop signs.
And there are people who will go out of their way to avoid it at all costs. Wimps!
There is no such thing as centrifugal force. It is a pseudo-force we perceive from our frame of reference. Spin a rock on a string and the inward. There is no outward directed force.
I don’t see a problem with traffic circles. I got used to them in the UK many years ago and now that they are being built more and more often here in the US, I find them convenient and a lot faster than a stop-sign controlled intersection. When they built the one near us a few years ago, the nearby residents were told that there are degrees of control at a busy intersection: none, stop sign, roundabout and traffic signal. They didn’t want to put in a traffic signal at this particular intersection because the peak hours are unpredictable. (It is the main road near a huge sports complex with multiple soccer and baseball fields.)
I have to navitagate several a day and most people do fine. It’s the ones who stop and ensure there are no cars within a quarter mile before they go, the ones who ram through no matter who’s already in the circle, or the idiot that thinks we go by turns that make me wish for phasers.
Many years ago I got stuck in a very large traffic circle in Mexico City. As you were driving, more cars would come in on your right forcing you inward. As I recall, it took me 5 or 6 rotations to work my way out and turn on the right street.
Improv comedy troupes are some of the gutsiest performers out there … or some of the most misguided. To me, it’s like a musician selling tickets so people can watch him practice scales. It’s a vital skill, but I’d rather watch the complete, finished product.
Except when I feel otherwise. Whether it’s onstage, in a writer’s room, on the street or in a board meeting, watching people who can think on their feet is a thing of beauty. Even more beautiful is the rest of the “troupe” ALLOWING them to think on their feet.
The prime tenet of improv is that you never shut the conversation down; you keep the ball in the air. Getting in the last word doesn’t score you any points; quite the opposite. As it happens, that’s also one of the prime tenets of Not Being A Dick, but I see an awful lot of people who didn’t get that memo. Which is why, as I look at today’s Frazz, I’m a little sad. Frazz seems to have, in the process of trying to add to the thought process, kind of closed the door on an idea. I bet he feels terrible about it. I wonder if he’ll try to make up for it with some silly theories of his own in coming days. I suspect he will. You’d think I’d know for sure, having written it myself and all. But then, I didn’t know what a mistake he was making today until just now.
Traffic circles (1,2,3 lanes) are great as long as the traffic is light. Since the circle has the right-of-way, a steady stream of cars from one direction will freeze all other lanes. That’s worse than stop signs or traffic lights.
Nachikethass almost 5 years ago
Traffic circles/ roundabouts serve to reduce a lot of heartburn and jams on Indian roads. We are not well known for road etiquette!
Charles Phipps Premium Member almost 5 years ago
It’s the two lane roundabouts that drive me crazy. People entering, exiting, merging left and merging right constantly. How in the world is this supposed to be safer?!??!!!
Pedmar Premium Member almost 5 years ago
The main principle to remember about traffic circles is this: traffic inside the circle keeps moving. (unless there are traffic signals in the circle, like DuPont Circle in Washington, DC)
Masterskrain Premium Member almost 5 years ago
NASCAR: Go fast, Turn Left, who cares??
Jeff0811 almost 5 years ago
Sometimes you have to get creative with your driving, which makes it a right brain thing too. I do come across a lot of people who seem to use only half their brain, or less, when driving.
Plods with ...™ almost 5 years ago
“They’re makin’ a left turn!
It’s real easy to follow when you’re hammered" – Bubba J
HappyDog/ᵀʳʸ ᴮᵒᶻᵒ ⁴ ᵗʰᵉ ᶠᵘⁿ ᵒᶠ ᶦᵗ Premium Member almost 5 years ago
When I first visited France in the ’60s the rule was that vehicles on the right had priority, meaning cars in the circle gave way to cars entering. It was chaos. Later the rule was changed to what it is today, cars entering must give way.
T Smith almost 5 years ago
I cut my teeth driving the Somerville Circle — the most important thing is, once on the circle, DO NOT SLOW OR STOP unless you’re about to hit something. Keep moving.
Of course, now it’s a complete bollocks with an overpass and stop signs.
And there are people who will go out of their way to avoid it at all costs. Wimps!
Sportymonk almost 5 years ago
There is no such thing as centrifugal force. It is a pseudo-force we perceive from our frame of reference. Spin a rock on a string and the inward. There is no outward directed force.
kunddog almost 5 years ago
Maybe it means oval track race car drivers aren’t intelligent
JudyAz almost 5 years ago
So they must be particularly intelligent in the UK?
Jan C almost 5 years ago
I don’t see a problem with traffic circles. I got used to them in the UK many years ago and now that they are being built more and more often here in the US, I find them convenient and a lot faster than a stop-sign controlled intersection. When they built the one near us a few years ago, the nearby residents were told that there are degrees of control at a busy intersection: none, stop sign, roundabout and traffic signal. They didn’t want to put in a traffic signal at this particular intersection because the peak hours are unpredictable. (It is the main road near a huge sports complex with multiple soccer and baseball fields.)
garysmigs almost 5 years ago
I found that buying an old dented large car increased the safe navigation of the circles in Jersey while reducing the stress level also, …odd!
Bill The Nuke almost 5 years ago
I have to navitagate several a day and most people do fine. It’s the ones who stop and ensure there are no cars within a quarter mile before they go, the ones who ram through no matter who’s already in the circle, or the idiot that thinks we go by turns that make me wish for phasers.
Bruce1253 almost 5 years ago
Many years ago I got stuck in a very large traffic circle in Mexico City. As you were driving, more cars would come in on your right forcing you inward. As I recall, it took me 5 or 6 rotations to work my way out and turn on the right street.
Night-Gaunt49[Bozo is Boffo] almost 5 years ago
BlogPostsFrazz14 hrs ·
Improv comedy troupes are some of the gutsiest performers out there … or some of the most misguided. To me, it’s like a musician selling tickets so people can watch him practice scales. It’s a vital skill, but I’d rather watch the complete, finished product.
Except when I feel otherwise. Whether it’s onstage, in a writer’s room, on the street or in a board meeting, watching people who can think on their feet is a thing of beauty. Even more beautiful is the rest of the “troupe” ALLOWING them to think on their feet.
The prime tenet of improv is that you never shut the conversation down; you keep the ball in the air. Getting in the last word doesn’t score you any points; quite the opposite. As it happens, that’s also one of the prime tenets of Not Being A Dick, but I see an awful lot of people who didn’t get that memo. Which is why, as I look at today’s Frazz, I’m a little sad. Frazz seems to have, in the process of trying to add to the thought process, kind of closed the door on an idea. I bet he feels terrible about it. I wonder if he’ll try to make up for it with some silly theories of his own in coming days. I suspect he will. You’d think I’d know for sure, having written it myself and all. But then, I didn’t know what a mistake he was making today until just now.
El Cobbo Grande almost 5 years ago
It’s very easy…..go to FDOT and all will be revealed
Saucy1121 Premium Member almost 5 years ago
I recently read someone has a theory that all those traffic circles are making tornados worse.
https://www.phillyvoice.com/pennsylvania-traffic-circles-causing-tornadoes-weather-2019/
Old Girl almost 5 years ago
Traffic circles (1,2,3 lanes) are great as long as the traffic is light. Since the circle has the right-of-way, a steady stream of cars from one direction will freeze all other lanes. That’s worse than stop signs or traffic lights.
CamiSu Premium Member almost 5 years ago
Off topic, but Jef, this showed up on the “A Way With Words” page.
Admit it, you didn’t know Gloria Vanderbilt was still alive, either.
Still, she gets credit for introducing the American public to the word “callipygian”. !
Seeker149 Premium Member almost 5 years ago
In countries where the traffic is on the left the roundabouts go clockwise. So wouldn’t that improve their driving skills?