ITS NOT A FOUR-WAY STOP!

Because I grew up in England, traffic islands were a familiar sight on most roads. Whereas here in the good old United States of America, they are still a rarity in the smaller towns that you may care drive through. Although, I will add that slowly they are out breeding the four-way stop, which in the next ten years will have to be placed on the endangered list for negotiated traffic obstacles!  

   

 So this slight rant is for all of you that still do not know how to negotiate the road traffic island, or roundabout as it’s called in the UK.  First off, if no vehicles are going around the island.  DO NOT STOP! Yes, this is correct…this is not a four-way stop, and is designed to keep the flow of traffic moving as quickly as possible. Second, remember to give way to those coming from your left. This means from the junction from your left and not the opposite side of the island! Third, not sure if people in America know this or not. Or maybe it’s just here in Michigan, but cars come equipped with signals or indicators. As you go around the traffic island, the correct procedure is to signal as you approach your turning, this lets other road users  know of your intentions!

  

     How you got to the moon and back beats me, maybe it’s because there are no traffic signs or other extraneous obstacles to negotiate.  I’m so fed up with drivers, especially here in Michigan. You know the type; they pull out in front of you then stare daggers, sounding their horn thinking it was their turn to go!! Not a four-way stop people.

     Older drivers are the worst. To be fair, they probably have no idea what this monstrosity is that they are approaching, so they decide to stop for no reason other than to take a photograph. Perhaps they want to study it later at home for further inspection? Pondering where it came from and what had happened to the four-way stop they so lovingly now miss. I can just imagine them barking under their breath, as they finally pluck up the courage to drive around it. Only to find themselves blaming everyone as they drive down the road, from Democrats to the communists for the carbuncle that has now appeared on their once favorite drive home.

  

So, for all of you that know this already, I apologize for my outcry. I will say that people from bigger cities should be exempt from this observation. It’s the smaller towns that have the major problem, for they don’t seem to travel as much. So if you recognize yourself here, please take heed to my plea and learn how to use the road traffic island. If you don’t wish to do it for me, then do it for the safety of all the other road users.