GA is priceless

Frank....H wrote:

Jay Honeck wrote:



The most important thing is to =stay= in the roundabout until you
=know=, with sufficient lead time, where you get out.


No, the most important thing is for taxpayers (AKA: "Users") to lynch
traffic "engineers" who insist on foisting such silliness as
"roundabouts", "left turn only" arrows, and other "traffic calming
devices" on the rest of us.



snip

Don't knock the roundabouts just because Americans haven't figured out how
to use them. They are much more efficient for intersections where the
probability of traffic entering/leaving the intersection in any direction
is about equal. Since we don't actually stop at 4 way stops anyway this is
a much better system.....if we learn how to use it. Without the education
part we loose the benefit.

As to lynching traffic engineers....First in line are the ones who have
forgotten about flashing yellows. I pass two intersections regularly where
they had to put up traffic lights for the rush (half) hour but never revert
to flashing yellow. Now instead of some people occasionally waiting during
the day _everybody_ waits most of the time.


How to drive roundabouts... US style

http://www.dublin.oh.us/video/roundabout.php

How to drive roundabouts... US style

http://www.dublin.oh.us/video/roundabout.php

Phooey. That video doesn't show anything about how folks actually
drive in roundabouts.

It helps if you're in a Mustang Cobra convertible with Steppenwolf
cranked up high on a hot summer night -- but this maneuver can be done
at any time, in any vehicle. Approach the roundabout at as high (or
higher) a rate of speed as you may feel comfortable with -- but
certainly nothing less than 40 mph.

As you approach the roundabout, aim for the very center of the circular
(usually grassy) median. At the last possible moment, swerve hard
right to avoid hitting the curb. Again, it really helps if you're in a
low-slung sports car with sticky tires on dry pavement -- but I've seen
this done in all manner of vehicles.

Slew around to the right, and then sling the wheel back hard to the
left, so as to not hit the opposite curb. You are now in a 2-G left
turn, so downshift and punch the throttle to allow the rear end to
break loose, putting your vehicle in a perfect power slide around the
roundabout. If you're really good, you can go almost all the way
around the roundabout in this manner.

This is great fun, and can be repeated daily. This maneuver worked
well with the chicanes, too.

"Safer". Bah.

:-)
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"