Are you a crazy driver?
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From: Kirkland
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4 out of 5, I got the roundabout question wrong. I’ve never seen one of those until I moved here. I’ve known that they existed, and the basic reasoning behind them, but didn’t know the exact rule to them.
They should have changed the quiz title to, “Does your driving make others crazy?” It drives me nuts when people “know” these simple answers but still practice the wrong answers. (Except the roundabout one of course, they’re rather fun when there’s no traffic).
They should have also added the question “What is the function of side-view mirrors?” A) Because you should never trust a rear-view mirror to see behind you, or B) To see if a vehicle is to the side of you.
They should have changed the quiz title to, “Does your driving make others crazy?” It drives me nuts when people “know” these simple answers but still practice the wrong answers. (Except the roundabout one of course, they’re rather fun when there’s no traffic).
They should have also added the question “What is the function of side-view mirrors?” A) Because you should never trust a rear-view mirror to see behind you, or B) To see if a vehicle is to the side of you.
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From: University Place, WA
http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/roundabouts/
Hmmmmmmm... One of the problems with the two "round things" nearest where I live, is that they have massive center structures with abrupt curbs that one cannot see over or around, but are referred to by the local traffic engineers as "traffic calming circles." *sigh*
Tom
Hmmmmmmm... One of the problems with the two "round things" nearest where I live, is that they have massive center structures with abrupt curbs that one cannot see over or around, but are referred to by the local traffic engineers as "traffic calming circles." *sigh*
Tom
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BTW - "roundabouts" are one-way-only (counter-clockwise around the lump in the middle), while "traffic calming islands" are "free-for-alls" where you can legally take a left in FRONT of the island.
Per the state: "Roundabouts also differ from traffic calming islands in several ways. These small traffic circles are often used to slow traffic speeds in residential neighborhoods and reduce accidents. In addition, the raised center islands are not designed to accommodate large vehicles and left-turning traffic, which often take the turn in front of the circles."
Tom
Per the state: "Roundabouts also differ from traffic calming islands in several ways. These small traffic circles are often used to slow traffic speeds in residential neighborhoods and reduce accidents. In addition, the raised center islands are not designed to accommodate large vehicles and left-turning traffic, which often take the turn in front of the circles."
Tom
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lol i work for a traffic engineering firm and the engineers say the traffic calming circles you are allowed to take a left in front of. lol who knows. do what you want just be safe :-)
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I missed that dang round-the-circle thing also. We don't have too many of them here in Concrete!!! They should have had questions like what do you do when the car ahead of you is stopped in the middle of the street having a big conversation with the guy in the car coming the other way, who is also stopped. Do you pass on the right or honk or just be patient?? 
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Our local traffic engineers (University Place) have two full fledged roundabouts that have decorative "stuff" on the island in the middle that prevent one from seeing what's on the other side. They call them "traffic calming circles" 
Other than having signs with descriptive verse explaining the philosophy of the circular thing one is approaching, how does one determine if it is (1) a roundabout, (2) a rotary circle, (3) a traffic circle, (4) a traffic calming island, or (5) some interesting combination of the above?
In any case, the traffic control sign facing the car approaching the circular road structure in the Seattle Times "test" clearly directs traffic around the island.
In my old neighborhood there is a tiny (8 feet wide?) "calming island" in the middle of one of the intersections near a school. The island has a concrete planter in the center, and a sign saying "KEEP RIGHT." It is easy to see over the planter toa ssure the way is clear, so if one is making a left, does one cut short and turn before the island, or obey the traffic control sign and go around the island on the right?
Tom
Other than having signs with descriptive verse explaining the philosophy of the circular thing one is approaching, how does one determine if it is (1) a roundabout, (2) a rotary circle, (3) a traffic circle, (4) a traffic calming island, or (5) some interesting combination of the above?
In any case, the traffic control sign facing the car approaching the circular road structure in the Seattle Times "test" clearly directs traffic around the island.
In my old neighborhood there is a tiny (8 feet wide?) "calming island" in the middle of one of the intersections near a school. The island has a concrete planter in the center, and a sign saying "KEEP RIGHT." It is easy to see over the planter toa ssure the way is clear, so if one is making a left, does one cut short and turn before the island, or obey the traffic control sign and go around the island on the right?
Tom