How does I traffic circle?!

[Pezzle]

I live in the great state of New Jersey, which of course means we still utilize the almighty traffic circle (also known as a "rotary" to some of you). Traffic flows one way around the circle, cars split to their exits accordingly, there are no lanes inside of it.

Some dippy clueless asshole decided to turn left into the traffic circle as a lane full of 50 mph Rt. 31 traffic sped their way. At first I thought I was seeing the headlights of the cars coming off of the circle further down toward other exit, but nope. Those headlights were in the lane going the wrong way and coming right... for... oh, shit... ME.

I laid on my horn and laid on my horn, there being nowhere to go (a traffic island or another car, next to me), and they got angry at me and started beeping at me! I don't remember what happened next, I braced for impact and nothing happened. The guy next to me must've parted enough to let him lanes split, cause I thought I was definitely in for a head on collision

I was livid for days haha. At least I go to the liquor store on the circle unscathed for my delicious, amazing Wachusetts Blueberry Ale.

[Dreamstalker]

MA has a few rotaries/traffic circles too and we see all sorts of stupidity...I keep planning to set myself up near one with a video camera, but knowing my luck I'd probably get taken out by one of the idiots I'm trying to catch on tape.

[Bright_Star]

Those are roundabouts. They look confusing at first but as long as you pay attention to the signs, they're simple to drive through.

[Pezzle]

Traffic Circles (NJ) / Rotaries (MA, New England) / Roundabouts (Across the pond)

But mostly I call them idiot death traps.

[Flying Grype]

I don't like roundabouts. Even if I can learn them I always think they're too complicated for most drivers, and they'll be death traps. My best friend was sideswiped in a roundabout so badly that her car was totaled. She saw the other car coming but had nowhere to go because the other driver was changing lanes when she shouldn't be. Oh, did I mention my friend was eight months pregnant? Fortunately she and the little parasite were okay (I use that word with affection, I love this kid). But I feel like avoiding roundabouts whenever I can.

[mikoyan29]

I think one of our traffic engineers got a woody for roundabouts because any new intersection built in the past 5 years or so will use a roundabout. If you follow the signs, they are actually pretty nice and the traffic flows nicely. If you don't follow the signs...ouch.

[Andara Bledin]

There's a traffic circle not terribly far from where I live on a notably high-traffic street. I'm not sure why they put it in, except that it's where three differently angled road systems meet up, so it likely was to avoid the insanity that a signal would have required. I was a little confused the first time I used it, but since then, I just watch out for the other idiots on the road, who will be there no matter what traffic control device is in play.

^-.-^