yield means yield not stop...... if there's nothing to yield to, you don't need to yield to nothing...
OT: Proper Driving Behavior When Approaching A Roundabout...
- Thread starter DirtyRU
- Start date
Yes. The Edgar Felix Bike Path Extension, which cuts across Tiltons Corner Road is where Route 18 was supposed to run. A realtor we work with would always point out if we looked at a house in that area that the area was designed for the future Route 18 extension. Wawa had proposed a store in the area by the old circle and including the old Harvest Exchange property. We use Paynters Rd (which parallels Route 34) to get over the Lakewood Rd. The traffic can really be bad at that intersection now. Can't imagine what a Route 18 interchange would be like, or a Wawa.
Here's an interesting story from Virginia in 2007 about circles in Massachusetts, New Jersey and Virginia...
I swear I was taught in the late 1970s that, like Massachusetts, traffic in the circle yields (which the writer than contradicts re: MA.. citing other evidence).. and the Laurelton Circle in Brick was the place I mostly followed these rules.. when stooping to travel through Brick. I suppose it meant that every locality where a circle was located could have their own rules. I suppose that's true today... seeing these latest changes.
from the link above:
Of course, all the new signs change all of this.. as signs take preference. It will be interesting to see if the drivers test changes.
All these differences might explain why I zipped through circles passing cars on all my trips to/from the Shore between New Brunswick and Belmar. I loved circles!
I swear I was taught in the late 1970s that, like Massachusetts, traffic in the circle yields (which the writer than contradicts re: MA.. citing other evidence).. and the Laurelton Circle in Brick was the place I mostly followed these rules.. when stooping to travel through Brick. I suppose it meant that every locality where a circle was located could have their own rules. I suppose that's true today... seeing these latest changes.
from the link above:
I looked up the New Jersey Driver’s Manual (which is what I should have done with Massachusetts’ last week). To put it in the kindest terms possible, it seems anything but clear on the subject. The section on traffic circles begins with this:
“There are no set rules driving into, around and out of a traffic circle in New Jersey. Common sense and caution must prevail at all times.”
That’s not exactly helpful, right? The manual continues:
“In most cases, the circle’s historically established traffic flow pattern dictates who has the right of way.”
That’s not helpful either — it suggests the right of way varies depending on the circle. But there is more.
“Never enter a traffic circle without checking all signs and determining the intentions of the motorists already moving in the circle.”
In that passage, there’s at least a weak implication that drivers in the circle have the right of way, correct? But it also sounds like there’s also a bit of mind-reading involved in the question.
To confuse the matter even further, the section in the New Jersey Driver’s Manual concludes with this:
“Whenever a motorist is in doubt concerning who has the right-of-way in a circle, he/she should exercise extreme caution and remember the basic rule governing any uncontrolled intersection: The vehicle to the left yields the right-of-way to the vehicle approaching to the right.”
That passage implies drivers in the circle should yield to drivers entering it. Which is exactly the opposite of what the other passage implies. In all, it strikes me as a masterpiece of ambiguity.
That bolded part is what I learned.. if you beat traffic in the circle.. which will always be coming from your left.. the right of way is yours to take... and if you do so quickly and fluidly, no one will be slowed. Now.. if the vehicle in the circle is already in your "intersection".. they have the right of way... It also means that once you are in the circle, you need to watch for other people entering from other roads to your right... because they have right of way.“There are no set rules driving into, around and out of a traffic circle in New Jersey. Common sense and caution must prevail at all times.”
That’s not exactly helpful, right? The manual continues:
“In most cases, the circle’s historically established traffic flow pattern dictates who has the right of way.”
That’s not helpful either — it suggests the right of way varies depending on the circle. But there is more.
“Never enter a traffic circle without checking all signs and determining the intentions of the motorists already moving in the circle.”
In that passage, there’s at least a weak implication that drivers in the circle have the right of way, correct? But it also sounds like there’s also a bit of mind-reading involved in the question.
To confuse the matter even further, the section in the New Jersey Driver’s Manual concludes with this:
“Whenever a motorist is in doubt concerning who has the right-of-way in a circle, he/she should exercise extreme caution and remember the basic rule governing any uncontrolled intersection: The vehicle to the left yields the right-of-way to the vehicle approaching to the right.”
That passage implies drivers in the circle should yield to drivers entering it. Which is exactly the opposite of what the other passage implies. In all, it strikes me as a masterpiece of ambiguity.
Of course, all the new signs change all of this.. as signs take preference. It will be interesting to see if the drivers test changes.
All these differences might explain why I zipped through circles passing cars on all my trips to/from the Shore between New Brunswick and Belmar. I loved circles!
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This is how my older boy (with his brother and cousin along for the ride) would attack the Allenwood circle coming home from hockey practice in high school...
With the varying states of updating old circles and varying site conditions, there is a need for ambiguity in the regulation. Many conditions may require engineering judgement based on volumes, accident history, etc. Consistency is best, but can not always be achieved.
Funny you should mention that. We were heading north on Route 34, and I was discussing college applications with my son, and as we approached the circle, I slipped into my old mode, and went right through, exiting onto Allaire Road headed East. The person waiting in the circle who was headed in the same direction laid on their horn for a good 20-30 seconds to show their displeasure. I felt bad, but I think the person behind me got scared that they went too far with their reaction.This is how my older boy (with his brother and cousin along for the ride) would attack the Allenwood circle coming home from hockey practice in high school...
Don't do this unless you are prepared for the guy behind you to rear end you....
They made the circle in Flemington worse and that project went on for years.
Do a lot of work in the area and the main problem with that circle on Rt.34 in Wall was Allaire Rd. People traveling South wanting to cut over to Allaire Rd. east toward Rt. 35 couldn't with Rt. 34 North traffic. Thus only 3 to 5 cars would cause a back up in the left lane of the circle causing people to slam on their brakes or swerve into the right lane. During heavily traveled times it made Rt.34 south essentially a one lane road.