TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin How to do a round about

Correct way to negotiate these.
https://www.facebook.com/routeplussure/videos/695904577912162

Great video, Scubaman. I was pleased to note that the cars in the video have little red signal lights that are displaying the proper etiquette for using turn signals in a roundabout. This is a pet peeve of mine, particularly with many North American drivers, who may be less familiar with how to use a roundabout. Ideally they should be used not just upon entering and exiting, but also if changing lanes while inside the circle.

This video also uses the yield signs at the entrances to the roundabout, giving priority to those already in the circle. Traditionally most roundabouts in France operated under the French "priority-to-the-right" rule, where the traffic already in the circle had to yield to the traffic entering the circle. Most have now been converted to the new system of yield signs.

Without the yield (or similar priority) signs, technically traffic entering the roundabout still has the priority under French law. The most famous remaining exception to the new system is the massive, multi-lane roundabout that circles the Arc de Triomphe in Paris.

I am a turn signal use radical. Almost nothing worse than failure to use turn signals when entering/exiting roadways, changing lanes, turning, etc. That said, roundabouts in SXM are so compact that turn signals can be a distraction to safe, attentive driving, especially during times of heavy use, although I still try. (In US, Ohio drivers are worst for ignoring this basic skill.)

While I will admit, some OH drivers leave a lot to be desired, they by no means have the market cornered. Have driven in any of the major US cities (NYC, Chicago, Boston, Atlanta, Orlando, Philadelphia, etc) used major interstates, etc? Other states make OH drivers look pretty good at times. Actually in OH, MI drivers are viewed as leaving a lot to be desired.

Round-a-bout use can be confusing to a lot of people, but they seem to be getting more popular in many areas, including OH.

They put in a roundabout about 10 miles from here, and I see people come to a complete STOP right in front of me, with no traffic in the circle, all the time! It is maddening!

The roundabout at the bottom of the hill there in Cole Bay, where the Mide-a$$ used to be, has REALLY helped traffic in that spot! Before that roundabout, I remember many times being backed up, all the way up the hill, sometimes PAST the roundabout at the top of the hill.

Yep, same thing in a town near us and it is a single lane round-a-bout and pretty tight yet people still stop with no oncoming traffic. The theory is, they keep traffic moving.

I agree wholeheartedly with both of you. They are installing more roundabouts here in Ontario, too. I have one I pass through regularly near my home.

After failure to signal, my other major roundabout pet peeve is those who come to either a full or almost-full stop before entering the circle. It is also a single-lane circle and they do this whether the circle is occupied or not!!! It's a "yield" sign, not a "stop" sign at the entrances....grrrr! The whole purpose of a roundabout is to keep the traffic moving as much as possible.

I agree with Carol that the roundabout in Cole Bay has made a big difference in allowing the traffic to flow better and it has helped eliminate the long line-ups. And yes, I also agree with ruralcarrier that some of the small SXM roundabouts, like the one just outside Marigot on the way to Grand Case, are so small as to really just be intersections with a centre marker and really don't warrant any signals, especially if you are proceeding straight through.

I can (and have) made comments on the seeming lack of skills of drivers from certain other provinces and states. However, I have more than enough of them in my home province to keep me busy and make that unnecessary.

I don't think so, I've seen you drive!

I've been a passenger in cars driven by Ohio drivers many times, and one of the first things I noticed is that they NEVER use a turn signal!

I haven't hijacked a thread in a long time

https://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/2019/12/18/ohio-drivers-worst-study/2684536001/

I guess I'm supposed to say that I'm glad to see you back, Raspy?? Anyway, I guess it is good to see you here..

Good to see you back! I use my turn signals in OH so much, the automatic turn off is broken!

I encountered a round-a-bout today, a motorcycle totally stopped with NO other approaching traffic other than myself. I entered the round-a-bout, then another car did and the motorcycle was still sitting.

No I think Rhode Island is #1 is ALL aspects of driving. Heaven forbid a driver tells you where he really wants to go! Even if he doesn't have the clearance to go there.

You mean you don’t just expect people to exit from the left lane of the highway 😂