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I saw the Pahoa roundabout in (almost) full operation today and I'd like to offer these tips (I've driven quite a few)
- a Yield sign is not a Stop sign; proceed without stopping if it is safe to do so (I even saw a police vehicle stop)
- give way to vehicles in the roundabout but only if they are about to hit you! You can proceed at full speed if it is safe to do so (e.g. a car is at the opposite end)
- optimal use of a roundabout is possible if people indicate correctly; indicate LEFT if you are not exiting at the next exit and RIGHT if you are leaving at the next exit
People will get used to this very quickly. What a relief to see those traffic lights turned off.
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"optimal use of a roundabout is possible if people indicate correctly; indicate LEFT if you are not exiting at the next exit and RIGHT if you are leaving at the next exit"
Drivers using their turn signals correctly is incredibly useful to others using a roundabout. It was drummed into me as a kid. Not only is it helpful to others and reduces congestion, it's simply a considerate thing to do (as it is any time you make a turn or change lane).
Unfortunately, I don't think it'll happen here given my experience.
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Drivers using their turn signals correctly
Do hand signals count? I saw one guy using his finger to point at another driver, maybe his turn signals were burned out?
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I saw one guy using his finger to point at another driver
He was pointing with Aloha. It's rude to beep your horn.
Oscar Wilde's Last Words: "Either this wallpaper goes, or I do."
"I'm at that stage in life where I stay out of discussions. Even if you say 1+1=5, you're right - have fun." - Keanu Reeves
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at the next exit and RIGHT if you are leaving at the next exit[/i]"
Drivers using their turn signals correctly is incredibly useful to others using a roundabout. It was drummed into me as a kid. Not only is it helpful to others and reduces congestion, it's simply a considerate thing to do (as it is any time you make a turn or change lane).
Unfortunately, I don't think it'll happen here given my experience.
[/quote]
No offense to big island drivers, but my experience is the same. Turn signals lights here should last the life of most cars, since they never get used. I guess it's too much work moving that turn signal lever when darting in and out in traffic to gain 20 seconds on ones drive.
Jon in Keaau/HPP
Jon in Keaau/HPP
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so you keep your left turn blinker on all through the roundabout, until you're ready to exit?
I used to use a roundabout on my morning commute, but never saw that.
To be fair, some local drivers use their turn signals more than others. For instance, I was behind a guy the other day whose left turn blinker was on for miles.
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What's that clickin' noise? Said the driver....
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The only time I use my blinker in a roundabout is to signal to other drivers that I am exiting. I've never used my left blinker, only the right one in a roundabout.
Wahine
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There seems to be alternate instructions going around and being widely obeyed.
1. Slow down to a crawl several hundred feet before approaching the roundabout.
2. If there are cars in the roundabout, come to a complete stop.
3. If there are no cars in the roundabout, come to a complete stop.
4. Once there are no cars in the roundabout, double check to make sure no cars are approaching the round about, then turn right into in.
5. Drive as slowly as possible without your car stalling. If you are very confused, turn left into the roundabout if that seems to make more sense.
6. If you see another car in front of you approaching the roundabout, come to a complete stop and let them in, then return to instruction 2 and proceed slowly only when no cars are in the roundabout or approaching it.
7. Pick an exit, but do not signal. Many signal and then fail to actually turn as their signal indicates, so just don't use them.
8. As you exit, even though you are in an isolated lane with no cross traffic, maintain your slow speed until you are well past the police station. They will ticket drivers going over 15 MPH. If heading south, maintain speed until past Kahakai.
9. 1/4 mile past the roundabout exit there is a 55 MPH sign towards Hilo, and a 45 MPH sign towards Kapoho/Kalapana. These are suggestions only. Maintain 15MPH speed until well past the signs. Slow down at random as there may be another roundabout elsewhere.
10. Always return to step 1 if you have any doubt about proper driving procedures.
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Driving into Pahoa from Keaau direction yesterday, the car in front of me slowed from 40 MPH to 9 MPH as we entered the construction zone, still a good football's field distance from the roundabout. There was no traffic in front of him. In this instance, I wished s/he had clicked on the emergency flashers, even if it was only to indicate a personal, fear the roundabout, emergency. It would have let me know s/he was still breathing and had control of their right arm & hand by the ability to click buttons.
Oscar Wilde's Last Words: "Either this wallpaper goes, or I do."
"I'm at that stage in life where I stay out of discussions. Even if you say 1+1=5, you're right - have fun." - Keanu Reeves
