We all have close calls from time to time. Sometimes it could be very serious . Other times not that serious if the close call had happened.
I had a close call yesterday that was serious.
I was going through a traffic circle. Now I can hear people saying, "I hate those things." If you are used to them it works. One problem is that the traffic people keep swinging back and forth. Sometimes we get traffic circles and then for a few years traffic circles are torn up.
All right, getting back to the traffic circle. As you come up to a traffic circle there's a lane that allows you to go right without entering the traffic circle. There's another arrow that lets you through to an exit that takes you in the same direction. You stay in the outside lane. The third arrow takes you 3/4 or the way around. Which allows you to proceed left.
Yesterday as I approached the traffic circle there was no traffic so I could enter the outside lane. I was entering and all of a sudden there was a blue blur crossing in front of me at high speed.
I thought I was a goner . Between his excessive speed and my breaking we did not collide.
However, my heart was beating rapidly
This traffic circle has shrubbery in the middle to make things look pretty. If everybody plays by the rules it's attractive. One idiot going through at high speed makes it a hazard.
I am an elderly driver so I don't need any close calls.
Whew! Glad you're okay if your heart slowed down. We have them too (in the spanse of flat Kansas?), and it's precarious for folks of any age. There's always the idiot that thinks they can make any maneuver in that messy area. My son had to jump a curb where a big drain grate was located to avoid a guy who'd pulled in front of him during the circle. Damaged his wheel, tire and fender. I wish they'd remove the "pretty" gardens in the middle of them, as I can't see what's a potential threat. Linda in Kansas
ReplyDeleteI'm sure there are many stories and incidents like ours.
DeleteGlad you are still here to tell the tale... no-one needs idiots and close calls
ReplyDeletethe "law" against idiots doesn't seem to work
DeleteI'm guessing a traffic circle is what we woudl call a roundabout.
ReplyDeleteNobody here uses them properly but they are probably still safer than a give way or stop sign, which people can completely ignore.
I'm glad you're safe!
I'm familiar with the term roundabout.
DeleteClose calls can be so frightening. I'm glad you are okay and the other person too.
ReplyDeleteI guess it's the way the world operated with some close calls.
DeleteI am sure your other blog fans will feel the same as me... Thank heavens Keith survived to tell the tale! Thing is that before too long that speedy driver will have an accident and innocent people may be hurt or killed.
ReplyDeleteYou're right about the driver as he/she isn't aware of the harm and danger they cause.
DeleteIt's exhausting making allowances for idiots on the roads. I hope you've recovered now.
ReplyDeleteThe law against idiots doesn't seem to work.
DeleteHello,
ReplyDeleteI do not mind the circles, I do wish people would follow the rules.
Some should stop speeding and dangerous driving. I have seen a tractor trailers turned on it side because it took the circle too fast. Take care, have a great day!
Many people do not know the rules is one problem.
DeleteI am not a fan of those roundabouts, but they are sprouting up everywhere these days. Glad you are safe and had no collision with that scary driver.
ReplyDeletethey are meant to move traffic quicker but people have to get more education as they are sometimes not understood.
DeleteI have seen traffic circles in places where it works beautifully. At the end of my son's road, you could wait for 10 minutes to turn right or left. A traffic circle went in and you scarcely ever need to wait for more than a minute. They installed one in our town, and I've never understood it. We are a town of 8000 people, no real rush hour to speak of. It does prevent big trucks from coming through the town. I guess if that was its purpose, it succeeded at that. One final note: age doesn't matter. NOBODY needs a close call!
ReplyDeleteI always like your reasoning as shown in the last two sentences.
DeletePeople who drive at an excessive speed through circles or junctions are particularly inconsiderate drivers.
ReplyDeleteThe sad thing is that most of the time they get way with it.
DeleteI love traffic circles. Our town now has four of them, all single lane affairs so you might think people could figure them out easier than the two lane (plus a turn lane) ones you were referring to.
ReplyDeleteNope.
I have seen people go around them in the wrong direction. I have seen people attempt to back up inside them. I have seen people in the circle stop and let a long line of traffic waiting to enter the circle proceed. I have seen people stopped in the center to the point traffic is backed up in all directions. Most of our traffic circles predate covid and aren't on the major thoroughfares that non-locals would be on so it isn't like there hasn't been enough time to learn.
Yes, people can do some of the stupidest things imaginable. Back up in a traffic circle???
DeleteP.S. Glad you survived the close call. I've had a few over the years and always thank God for being able to see another day.
ReplyDeleteDriving can have it's close calls.
DeleteWe don't have many traffic circles so I think drivers don't know how to safely proceed through them. Glad you were safe, Red!
ReplyDeleteI agree that many people do not know how to proceed.
DeletePEI has traffic circles everywhere. I understand exactly what you’re saying.
ReplyDeleteYou guys have enough traffic for traffic circles? Shoot me for that low blow!
DeletePhew! Ive had a very close call but not in a circle but I guy passing traffic in my opposite lane.
ReplyDeleteWith two lane roads that can happen.
DeleteScary! Traffic circles confuse a lot of people -- particularly Americans, because until relatively recently we didn't have many of them.
ReplyDeleteWe've had them from time to time but now they seem to be installed quite often
DeleteDitto what gz said.
ReplyDeleteGlad you're ok. Speeding drivers and distracted drivers (mostly by cell phones) are a clear & present danger.
ReplyDeleteDon't get me going on cell phone usage. they don't enforce rules on cell phones.
DeleteNobody needs a close call caused by someone else's reckless or stupid driving - nobody! I'm glad you're okay in spite of that fool.
ReplyDeleteThere are enough close calls without the rule breaking drivers.
DeleteWhen I lived in Mexico there was a huge multi-lane traffic called Minerva Circle, if I remember correctly. It had multiple spoke streets and it took me awhile to realize that the person in the inside lane had the right of way to cross the other three or so lanes to take one of the spokes. I got used to it and really enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteThat one sounds complicated.
DeleteThe fright alone is enough to kill you!
ReplyDeleteWell, it shook me up for sure.
ReplyDeleteYikes! That was darn scary. We've had a number of close calls too. I know I've heard that Hawaii has the worst drivers.
ReplyDeleteI believe you were saved miraculously by the grace of God!
ReplyDeleteThank goodness!!!
Undoubtedly everything bad like that happens only when some people choose to break rules