RE: Video: When Roundabouts Go Bad
Discussion
Skipppy said:
Hugo a Gogo said:
they need to put something in the middle of that f
king thing
Absolutely what I was thinking. Lay grass and put plants or something in the actual circle of the round about and the public will be less likely to drive over the top of it!king thingHugo a Gogo said:
it is Germany, going by the taxis
couple of things:
Roundabouts aren't common at all in Germany
normally, in the absence of markings 'Right before Left' applies
they need to put something in the middle of that fking thing
Observing the traffic here as a pedestrian, I can well understand how this failed so miserably.couple of things:
Roundabouts aren't common at all in Germany
normally, in the absence of markings 'Right before Left' applies
they need to put something in the middle of that f
king thingAs far as I can tell, there are only a few standard layouts, and this isn't one of them.
Here in Berlin at least, the drivers are extremely enthusiastic, and if they come across a junction which doesn't work like a normal crossing, they'd probably try a bit more right-foot and just try and be first to the exit. Much like any essex boy on a roundabout they know well. Woe-betide the inexperienced/nervous driver.
This site has some good english explanations of the rules:
http://www.gettingaroundgermany.info/regeln.shtml#...
I think ultimately it comes down to the actual road-markings and signage, which in this case, look pretty crap.
The standing rule is "give way to the right, unless told otherwise", but having said that, major junctions have traffic lights as you might expect, or instead signs giving explicit priority to the major through route. In this case there should be a roundabout sign which should make it more like our UK roundabouts, and hopefully some visual clues that you're not supposed to use the center as a car park. The solid whites are a good start, but hard to read from a flat angle: a flower bed is easier for everyone, except the ambiwlans that wants to shoot straight over.
yay. i said ambiwlans.
cmsd2
Article said:
It's hard to know who's to blame for the bizarre driving in this video - the drivers or the people who made the roundabout.
The incompetent drivers. The centre of the roundabout isn't raised but it is signposted as a roundabout and all the markings are clear. It really is extremely simple to follow; have the people driving in the video had parts of their brains removed?Daaaveee said:
Partially a product of bad design and construction, but its not exactly hard to see what you're supposed to do! A raised island would soon sort it, you'd hope!
Beat me to it. It must be a new thing there and some knoe how to use it some don't. But yeah, defo needs to be a raised island IMO. not just a bump even, because even the stupid people here can get those wrong.Hopefully, the prick of a road engineer who came up with that design is a Brit who has since moved to Germany to give them the benefit of his/her expertise 
Recent or not, something to fill the white hole in the middle or not, it's stupid .......... great location for a pedestrian crossing
Recent or not, something to fill the white hole in the middle or not, it's stupid .......... great location for a pedestrian crossing
jains15 said:
Could be Slough to be honest.
Lidl - Check
Widespread lack of observation - Check
Widespread lack of understanding of road markings - Check
Incompetant driving - Check
Dozens of near misses - Check
Bad road layouts - Check
Lidl - Check
Widespread lack of observation - Check
Widespread lack of understanding of road markings - Check
Incompetant driving - Check
Dozens of near misses - Check
Bad road layouts - Check
Having spent two years working there I would completely agree... and I'd possibly suggest Wembley, Harlesden large parts of Birmingham, Leeds and Batley
Well, the truely is a abysmal, although we have many in the UK that are just as bad (although probably more noticeable). The worst ones are small roundabouts where three joining lanes filter into two at the exit. Come rush hour, these things are nightmare. Four Lane Ends Metro roundabout in Newcastle upon Tyne, for instance.
For whatever reason, they've started building these in Maryland and Virginia. It's like a new "fad" or something. Virginia drivers have a hard enough time driving in a straight line and can barely understand the concept that you're supposed to stop at a red light!
At least the ones I've seen in the US (they've had them in New Jersey and Pennsylvania for decades) are large and have something solid in the middle. If they put one like the one in the video in VA it would look like the apocalypse!
At least the ones I've seen in the US (they've had them in New Jersey and Pennsylvania for decades) are large and have something solid in the middle. If they put one like the one in the video in VA it would look like the apocalypse!
Fluffsri said:
| How would they cope in Swindon on the magic roundabout? | |
Fully agree - Wow and the German’s find a simple crossroads turned round-a-bout confusing – mind you it is a crap design (and they haven’t completed the Lidl logo in the middle !). God help them if they lived in Swindon and had to negotiate the Dylan (i.e. spaced out rabbit) inspired Magic Roundabout.
Still no problems if you’re approaching it from the south and happen to come across this sign “oh look dear no worries if we’re in a head on collision with a 40 ton artic – they’ve thoughtfully built an A&E ward nearby”
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