At an intersection- which is better a round about or stop light?

Our roundabout has been here a while. It was created to speed up traffic at an intersection with a red light. But just before the roundabout there are red lights on all the roads, with long lines of cars waiting to get to the roundabout.
 

OldFeller said:
People where I live don't know the proper way to use them. There's a Yield sign where you enter the circle and they treat it like a Stop sign. Very annoying.
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That's because I don't have the right of way, I may have to pause before I go.
I'm guess I'm not that quick or bright. I prefer a stoplight, or a four-way stop.
It's a strange world today, no shortage of strange hostile inhabitants ready to tell me off. I have my own familiar trail that I keep to, and I keep my head down against rocks maybe being thrown.
šŸ˜ But it's all good.
 
I prefer stoplight, most people understand them.... although some just ignore them...

Round abouts are ok if they are single lane or double lanes...anything beyond that can be tricky for me and others...and God help me if my wife is driving and we come up on a two or more lane round about...
 
Timewise 60+ said:
I prefer stoplight, most people understand them.... although some just ignore them...

Round abouts are ok if they are single lane or double lanes......
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And that's a good point.

In America, a lot of streets that run through areas where there's a lot of businesses, and ones that lead to and from the freeways, have from 4 to 8 lanes; half for traffic going one way, half going the other way....up to eight lanes in total.

Can you imagine the amount of acreage you'd need to build roundabouts along the way? And they'd have to build one every mile or so, because of the amount of cross-traffic. That acreage is expensive, and then there'd be the expense of all the road materials and labor and equipment on top of that. Plus, you'd be using acreage that could be for businesses that pay taxes that cover the cost of roads and stuff.

Just doesn't work here.

There was a roundabout where I lived in Yuba City, Calif. It sat between a residential area and some schools and city buildings, and I think a police station. We all thought it was quaint...and a bit silly. I mean, it just didn't serve any purpose that a signaling intersection wouldn't have.

Wait....come to think of it, I never saw a panhandler there. (y)šŸ˜€
 
Murrmurr said:
And that's a good point.

In America, a lot of streets that run through areas where there's a lot of businesses, and ones that lead to and from the freeways, have from 4 to 8 lanes; half for traffic going one way, half going the other way....up to eight lanes in total.
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We also have 8 lane roads... roundabouts are not on those...

The world's best drivers are in Switzerland and the UAE, while the most polite drivers are found in Turkey, according to a study by global transfer service i'way.

The study analysed reviews and ratings from passengers in 120 countries from February 2022 to February 2023. Analysts concluded that the most comfortable trips were in Spain, Israel, and France, with criteria based on the courtesy of the driver, comfort of the trip, cleanliness of the car, good mood, and pleasant music during the trip.


Results derived also found drivers in Austria, Great Britain, and Germany paid attention to the cleanliness of the car. The highest ratings were given to drivers in Switzerland, the UAE, and Brazil, and the top 20 countries by driver rating, with a maximum score of 5, were also identified.
The study shows how important the driver is in a transfer, and the final evaluation of the trip by the passenger depends on the driver's actions.

The world's top 20 drivers​

  1. Switzerland | 4.99
  2. UAE | 4.99
  3. Brazil | 4.98
  4. Denmark | 4.98
  5. Austria | 4.98
  6. Czech Republic | 4.98
  7. France | 4.97
  8. Algeria | 4.97
  9. UK | 4.96
  10. Malaysia | 4.95
  11. India | 4.95
  12. Turkey | 4.95
  13. Mexico | 4.94
  14. Italy | 4.93
  15. Spain | 4.92
  16. Israel | 4.91
  17. US | 4.91
  18. Saudi Arabia | 4.91
  19. South Korea | 4.91
  20. South Africa | 4.9




 
hollydolly said:
We also have 8 lane roads... roundabouts are not on those...

The world's best drivers are in Switzerland and the UAE, while the most polite drivers are found in Turkey, according to a study by global transfer service i'way.

The study analysed reviews and ratings from passengers in 120 countries from February 2022 to February 2023. Analysts concluded that the most comfortable trips were in Spain, Israel, and France, with criteria based on the courtesy of the driver, comfort of the trip, cleanliness of the car, good mood, and pleasant music during the trip.


Results derived also found drivers in Austria, Great Britain, and Germany paid attention to the cleanliness of the car. The highest ratings were given to drivers in Switzerland, the UAE, and Brazil, and the top 20 countries by driver rating, with a maximum score of 5, were also identified.
The study shows how important the driver is in a transfer, and the final evaluation of the trip by the passenger depends on the driver's actions.

The world's top 20 drivers​

  1. Switzerland | 4.99
  2. UAE | 4.99
  3. Brazil | 4.98
  4. Denmark | 4.98
  5. Austria | 4.98
  6. Czech Republic | 4.98
  7. France | 4.97
  8. Algeria | 4.97
  9. UK | 4.96
  10. Malaysia | 4.95
  11. India | 4.95
  12. Turkey | 4.95
  13. Mexico | 4.94
  14. Italy | 4.93
  15. Spain | 4.92
  16. Israel | 4.91
  17. US | 4.91
  18. Saudi Arabia | 4.91
  19. South Korea | 4.91
  20. South Africa | 4.9




Click to expand...
They're rating paid drivers. Which is fine, but it doesn't tell us anything about the average driver in those countries.

Here in the US, people from all over the world are using the streets and freeways, and they bring their driving habits with them. US Immigration & Naturalization Services used to give immigrants free driving classes and lessons, but they stopped doing that about 35-40 years ago....and it totally shows.

We also used to offer Drivers Education in every high school. You didn't have to take the class, but it was free. Now parents have to pay something like $500 per kid. (probly varies from state to state)
 
Murrmurr said:
They're rating paid drivers. Which is fine, but it doesn't tell us anything about the average driver in those countries.

Here in the US, people from all over the world are using the streets and freeways, and they bring their driving habits with them. US Immigration & Naturalization Services used to give immigrants free driving classes and lessons, but they stopped doing that about 35-40 years ago....and it totally shows.

We also used to offer Drivers Education in every high school. You didn't have to take the class, but it was free. Now parents have to pay something like $500 per kid. (probly varies from state to state)
Click to expand...
You don't think people from all over the world come to the UK ?/... we're inundated here with foreigners....

Our kids have never had free driving tests or exams.. they've always had ..including me and my generationw who had to have intensive training on the roads which costs a lot of money for every 1 hour lesson.. then before they are finally allowed to take their driving exam on the road..to pass or fail, they have to sit a stiff theory test.. No-one here has ever been handed a driving licence at 16 years old.. and been allowed to drive...

No kid here is or has ever been given a licence to drive on the roads, without having first passed a comprehensive driving test. after many driving lessons which cost a fortune... and then the theory... ..Even when they do pass their Insurance premiums average aroud Ā£3000 per year...at best !!...

The fact is we are good drivers here in the UK.. everybody knows it.. we mostly drive manual cars whch take skill.. we drive on roads which have the equivelnt of a car for every person in the country which is 70 million people..in a country smaller than Oregon.. to drive on roads like these which are packed and narrow takes much more skill thn putting a car into ''Drive'' and then driving on roads which are half empty ..
 
Just one example from Quora...

What is driving like in the UK, compared to the US or Canada?


I am from Canada but have lived here for the last 6 years. Prior to that I had been coming to the UK for work (and drove) for another 15 years. When I first started driving in the UK some 20 years ago I couldnā€™t believe how much better the driving skills were. Particularly lane discipline on the motorway. People seemed a lot less distracted and more focused on driving.


Yet another

I am an American who moved to London for a couple of years in the 90s for work. On my first day there I was given a new car (a company car is a standard perk of many jobs there.)

Of course, there were things to get used to with the change to driving a right-hand-drive car, and to driving on the left-hand side of the road. Roundabouts (traffic circles) go the opposite direction from my normal. Left turns are against the curb and you may wait for a traffic signal in the right hand turn lane. There are no stop signs (nearly all intersections are some variant on a roundabout.). But I adapted to all of that pretty easily.

What was more hair-raising for me was that the width of roads and driving lanes are much less than in America. I found myself having to whiz past other traffic, including opposite-direction traffic, with mere inches separating my side mirrors from theirs. It was very unnerving until I got used to it, and the precision of my driving improved by necessity.

After a couple of months, I needed to obtain a UK driving license. No problem, I thought. The road test for a UK license is much more difficult than in the US, and involves maneuvers like backing up around a corner while staying within a foot of the curb. I practiced them all and thought I was ready, but it turned out I was wrong. The examiner failed me, saying, ā€œitā€™s obvious that youā€™ve been driving for many years and are a skilled driver, but we prefer to see you do things in the British way.ā€ He was referring to my method of steering the car.


I definitely believe that the narrower roads, etc. make driving more challenging in Europe, and it forces people to be better drivers than many are in the USA.
 
I like roundabouts better than lights. But, there is one in my that does not give people entering the roundabout from the North side of it a good view of the traffic approaching the roundabout from the East. Cars from the East tend zip into the roundabout quickly, and surprise those waiting on the north entrance. It can be quite harrowing. I avoid this roundabout during rush hour, and most other times if I can avoid it. Waiting at a light seems a lot safer. Bad planning by the traffic department on this one.

But, as I said, well planned roundabouts with good visibility of trading approaching and in the roundabout are a pleasure to use.
 
hollydolly said:
Our kids have never had free driving tests or exams.. they've always had ..including me and my generationw who had to have intensive training on the roads which costs a lot of money for every 1 hour lesson.. then before they are finally allowed to take their driving exam on the road..to pass or fail, they have to sit a stiff theory test.. No-one here has ever been handed a driving licence at 16 years old.. and been allowed to drive...
Click to expand...

Thank gawd! It used to really be ludicrous here in California but at least now the written part of the test is harder, though not in a particularly useful way. People here are so inattentive now. At a light you can't just assume drivers ahead of you at a light will go when the light changes. Got to make sure your horn is functional.
 
hollydolly said:
Just one example from Quora...

What is driving like in the UK, compared to the US or Canada?


I am from Canada but have lived here for the last 6 years. Prior to that I had been coming to the UK for work (and drove) for another 15 years. When I first started driving in the UK some 20 years ago I couldnā€™t believe how much better the driving skills were. Particularly lane discipline on the motorway. People seemed a lot less distracted and more focused on driving.


Yet another

I am an American who moved to London for a couple of years in the 90s for work. On my first day there I was given a new car (a company car is a standard perk of many jobs there.)

Of course, there were things to get used to with the change to driving a right-hand-drive car, and to driving on the left-hand side of the road. Roundabouts (traffic circles) go the opposite direction from my normal. Left turns are against the curb and you may wait for a traffic signal in the right hand turn lane. There are no stop signs (nearly all intersections are some variant on a roundabout.). But I adapted to all of that pretty easily.

What was more hair-raising for me was that the width of roads and driving lanes are much less than in America. I found myself having to whiz past other traffic, including opposite-direction traffic, with mere inches separating my side mirrors from theirs. It was very unnerving until I got used to it, and the precision of my driving improved by necessity.

After a couple of months, I needed to obtain a UK driving license. No problem, I thought. The road test for a UK license is much more difficult than in the US, and involves maneuvers like backing up around a corner while staying within a foot of the curb. I practiced them all and thought I was ready, but it turned out I was wrong. The examiner failed me, saying, ā€œitā€™s obvious that youā€™ve been driving for many years and are a skilled driver, but we prefer to see you do things in the British way.ā€ He was referring to my method of steering the car.


I definitely believe that the narrower roads, etc. make driving more challenging in Europe, and it forces people to be better drivers than many are in the USA.
Click to expand...

Driving on the wrong side of the road šŸ˜‰ made it tougher in the UK but my biggest complaint are the plant growth on the side of roads in the country which can be 15 feet tall (or more?) Otherwise drivers in the US are the worst.
 
MarkD said:
Driving on the wrong side of the road šŸ˜‰ made it tougher in the UK but my biggest complaint are the plant growth on the side of roads in the country which can be 15 feet tall (or more?) Otherwise drivers in the US are the worst.
Click to expand...
LOL... this is how many countries drive on ''the wrong side of the road''....


  1. Channel Islands (including Guernsey and Jersey)
  2. Cyprus
  3. Ireland
  4. Isle of Man
  5. Malta
  6. United Kingdom (including England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland)

  1. Botswana
  2. Eswatini (formerly known as Swaziland)
  3. Kenya
  4. Lesotho
  5. Malawi
  6. Mauritius
  7. Mozambique
  8. Namibia
  9. Seychelles
  10. South Africa
  11. Tanzania
  12. Uganda
  13. Zambia
  14. Zimbabwe

  1. Bangladesh
  2. Bhutan
  3. Brunei
  4. East Timor
  5. Hong Kong
  6. India
  7. Indonesia
  8. Japan
  9. Macau
  10. Malaysia
  11. Maldives
  12. Nepal
  13. Pakistan
  14. Singapore
  15. Sri Lanka
  16. Thailand

  1. Australia (and its territories, including Christmas Island, Cocos Islands and Norfolk Island)
  2. Fiji
  3. Kiribati
  4. Nauru
  5. New Zealand (and its territories, including Cook Islands and Tokelau)
  6. Niue
  7. Pitcairn Islands
  8. Papua New Guinea
  9. Samoa
  10. Solomon Islands
  11. Tonga
  12. Tuvalu


  1. Anguilla
  2. Antigua and Barbuda
  3. Bahamas
  4. Barbados
  5. Bermuda
  6. British Virgin Islands
  7. Cayman Islands
  8. Dominica
  9. Falkland Islands
  10. Grenada
  11. Guyana
  12. Jamaica
  13. Montserrat
  14. Saint Helena
  15. Saint Kitts and Nevis
  16. Saint Lucia
  17. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
  18. Suriname
  19. Trinidad and Tobago
  20. Turks and Caicos
  21. United States Virgin Islands
 
hollydolly said:
You don't think people from all over the world come to the UK ?/... we're inundated here with foreigners....

Our kids have never had free driving tests or exams.. they've always had ..including me and my generationw who had to have intensive training on the roads which costs a lot of money for every 1 hour lesson.. then before they are finally allowed to take their driving exam on the road..to pass or fail, they have to sit a stiff theory test.. No-one here has ever been handed a driving licence at 16 years old.. and been allowed to drive...

No kid here is or has ever been given a licence to drive on the roads, without having first passed a comprehensive driving test. after many driving lessons which cost a fortune... and then the theory... ..Even when they do pass their Insurance premiums average aroud Ā£3000 per year...at best !!...

The fact is we are good drivers here in the UK.. everybody knows it.. we mostly drive manual cars whch take skill.. we drive on roads which have the equivelnt of a car for every person in the country which is 70 million people..in a country smaller than Oregon.. to drive on roads like these which are packed and narrow takes much more skill thn putting a car into ''Drive'' and then driving on roads which are half empty ..
Click to expand...
For what it is worth back in the day my insurance was 5.000 Mark for six months at 22. Driving test required manual, parallel parking backwards on a hill. It was a birthday present and ran about 1.500.

It takes skill to turn a pick up east and drive three days. Nebraska is the longest drive there is:)

Have you ever been in the US? Let me take you on a drive in DC, Dallas, Atlanta during rush hour.

We took a Chevy Silverado full size 4wheel with mud tires to Europe as our every day car with a Golf GTI as back up.

As far as shifting is concerned - I named my first Vulcan Miss Priss as she required clean shifting of all five.
 
hollydolly said:
left what ?
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Drivers in the USA Drive in the right lane, thus roundabouts turn CCW and to the right turn to get off.
Brits drive on the left side of the road and thus the roundabout turn is clockwise & turn to the left to get off ?

I don't care for them anyway, seem a waste of a lot of money. With the heavy snows / ice storms here can be a real pita.
 
papa tiger said:
Drivers in the USA Drive in the right lane, thus roundabouts turn CCW and to the right turn to get off.
Brits drive on the left side of the road and thus the roundabout turn is clockwise & turn to the left to get off ?

I don't care for them anyway, seem a waste of a lot of money. With the heavy snows / ice storms here can be a real pita.
Click to expand...
I know Americans drive on the right so would give way on the left.. which is what the Spanish do.... no probs with roundabouts...(y)
 
Murrmurr said:
I wager Americans have keener driving skills than anyone else in the world because they do more driving than anyone else in the world.

Traffic lights are simpler than roundabouts. A light tells you exactly what to do based on its color, and we all know it's ok to turn right on a red when traffic allows...unless we didn't take driver's ed or read the manual.
Click to expand...
My friend and I drove through France and became well acquainted with round abouts. I did nav and it was always kind of funny to hear at first. You become accustomated to them but for us, it took a while.
 
Traffic circles have their place but not a blanket substitution. Merging on or near a curve is tough as-is. And one must work on maintaining their lane while turning which many can't.
 
For me, roundabouts are much better. I like to keep moving. Hating stopping at lights all of the time.
 

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