this post was submitted on 17 Oct 2023
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xkcd

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https://xkcd.com/2842

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Look, I just think we need to stop coddling those hedonistic roundabout hogs who get into the inner lane and circle for hours, wasting valuable capacity.

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[–] Amilo159@lemmy.world 8 points 10 months ago (3 children)

First time I have to disagree with xkcd. It's very much not navigable, with exception of turning right.

Going left or back is impossible as you will be facing counterflow and not able to turn in tight spaces.

[–] themeatbridge@lemmy.world 21 points 10 months ago (1 children)

You can't go back the wrong way, you have to change lanes or you reach a dead end. No left, only right.

[–] MentalEdge@sopuli.xyz 21 points 10 months ago (2 children)

It's kinda funny how these comments are proving Randall's point, that people don't know to lane-shift in roundabouts.

[–] biddy@feddit.nl 1 points 10 months ago

You shouldn't have to lane shift in roundabouts. On a well designed multi lane roundabout you choose your lane before you get there and simply follow it to the exit. The only reason to change lanes is if you screwed up.

[–] Dagwood222@lemm.ee -3 points 10 months ago (2 children)

If the consumer can't use the product, it's a bad product. I've had teachers who knew their subject, but couldn't convey the knowledge; they were bad teachers. If people can't handle roundabouts, it's the traffic department's fault.

[–] MentalEdge@sopuli.xyz 9 points 10 months ago (3 children)

It's a chicken and egg problem. Roundabouts are well-liked by those used to them, and despised by those who aren't. A product isn't bad because it's an acquired taste, and there's no solution that doesn't involve trying it until you get it.

[–] Swedneck@discuss.tchncs.de 9 points 10 months ago (1 children)

"despised by those who aren't" is kinda really fucking funny to me because i cannot think of any country but the USA where roundabouts aren't bog standard and being angry at one is like being angry at a T-intersection

[–] KittyCat@lemmy.world 1 points 10 months ago

They're everywhere here in Massachusetts, but I don't think I've ever seen one outside of New England

[–] Dagwood222@lemm.ee 4 points 10 months ago

My opinion is that most traffic departments in the US rely on outdated rules for placing signs. There's one I use on a regular basis and unless you've been through it a few times it's almost impossible to figure out when to turn.

[–] themeatbridge@lemmy.world 4 points 10 months ago

Do people despise roundabouts? The only complaints I've ever heard are from property owners who don't want to cede the additional land required. But I'm not an expert on the subject.

[–] wahming@monyet.cc 6 points 10 months ago (1 children)

That's like saying modern technology is bad because some tribesman from the amazon can't figure them out. It's just lack of education. Countries all over the world use roundabouts with no issues.

And yes, that makes American drivers the clueless tribesman in this analogy.

[–] Dagwood222@lemm.ee -2 points 10 months ago

No, it's like saying expecting a tribesman to use a computer is crazy.

I'm American and I've used roundabouts. Plenty of them have poorly placed signs that confuse people.

[–] surewhynotlem@lemmy.world 16 points 10 months ago

The lines are dotted. You can cross dotted lines. If you do cross a dotted line, please check your mirrors, or you might run into the point of the comic.

[–] stebo02@sopuli.xyz 2 points 10 months ago (1 children)

i think it should spiral outwards instead, that way if you need to take the third exit, you switch to the third lane and simply follow it to your exit

Agreed. If you're in the outside lane you must exit.