Am convinced that most Americans don’t understand how to properly use a traffic circle. The concept is: traffic in the circle keep moving. Traffic on the outside waits until the way is clear in the circle. I’ve seen all kinds of nuts do all kinds of things.
Traffic circles or roundabouts or whatever you want to call them are fine if there is very, very little traffic. Unfortunately, in the US, they are being used in areas where traffic can be extremely heavy, especially during rush hours, which in some areas can last for a very, very long time!
Two issues occur:1) During heavy traffic periods when the vast majority of traffic is moving North or South, if you want to travel East or West, it is not only difficult to get into the circle, it can be dangerous! Prior to the circle, traffic had to stop at the intersection and crossing or entering the traffic stream was quite easy and safe!2) Again, during heavy traffic periods, if you are “downstream” from the traffic and want to enter or cross the roadway, you are faced with a continuous flow of traffic, again making crossing or turning into the roadway difficult, if not impossible! Prior to the circle, with stop signs at the intersection, traffic downstream is opened up a bit rather than being bunched together as it is with the circle!
Here in South Africa some towns have several traffic circles. They work well in areas where traffic lights are not feasible and they do keep the traffic moving steadily in peak hour if they are correctly used. In Umlanga [pronounced Oom-shlanga] the peak hour traffic is very heavy but nearly all the drivers are courteous and each take a turn at entering the circle. In Kloof, the small town where I live, the town is built on both sides of a disused railway line and the traffic circles are very useful. Unfortunately there are some people who do not know how to use them correctly and some are downright rude.
pekenpug almost 9 years ago
The panel is tipping, on it’s way to making a full circle. The stones are already starting to roll off.
Quick, Horace, cling to the edge of the panel!
rnmontgomery52 almost 9 years ago
This is not a horizontal round-a-bout, it’s a vertical one.
neverenoughgold almost 9 years ago
I absolutely hate traffic circles!
Now as far as today’s strip goes, nice twist Lintula…
Just one more thing almost 9 years ago
I my bad…I see now
Sherlock Watson almost 9 years ago
Today’s background music: “You Spin Me Round” by Dead or Alive.
CatStaff Premium Member almost 9 years ago
Thank you for the 4th panel and the great detail of the brake lights in panels 2, 3, and especially 4.
samuli creator almost 9 years ago
A little while later…
Pedmar Premium Member almost 9 years ago
Am convinced that most Americans don’t understand how to properly use a traffic circle. The concept is: traffic in the circle keep moving. Traffic on the outside waits until the way is clear in the circle. I’ve seen all kinds of nuts do all kinds of things.
neverenoughgold almost 9 years ago
Traffic circles or roundabouts or whatever you want to call them are fine if there is very, very little traffic. Unfortunately, in the US, they are being used in areas where traffic can be extremely heavy, especially during rush hours, which in some areas can last for a very, very long time!
Two issues occur:1) During heavy traffic periods when the vast majority of traffic is moving North or South, if you want to travel East or West, it is not only difficult to get into the circle, it can be dangerous! Prior to the circle, traffic had to stop at the intersection and crossing or entering the traffic stream was quite easy and safe!2) Again, during heavy traffic periods, if you are “downstream” from the traffic and want to enter or cross the roadway, you are faced with a continuous flow of traffic, again making crossing or turning into the roadway difficult, if not impossible! Prior to the circle, with stop signs at the intersection, traffic downstream is opened up a bit rather than being bunched together as it is with the circle!
JoanHelen almost 9 years ago
Here in South Africa some towns have several traffic circles. They work well in areas where traffic lights are not feasible and they do keep the traffic moving steadily in peak hour if they are correctly used. In Umlanga [pronounced Oom-shlanga] the peak hour traffic is very heavy but nearly all the drivers are courteous and each take a turn at entering the circle. In Kloof, the small town where I live, the town is built on both sides of a disused railway line and the traffic circles are very useful. Unfortunately there are some people who do not know how to use them correctly and some are downright rude.
gosfreikempe almost 9 years ago
Ohhhh. Not your fault at ALL, sir, but this is not a good strip for someone (me) with a migraine coming on…
J Short almost 9 years ago
See you on the flip side.
Argythree almost 9 years ago
It’s great to see animation in this ’toon!