re: Why can't Louisianians comprehend traffic circles? OP Update

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With maybe the exception of the old-timers in Alexandria who have been doing it for years, why can't Louisianians comprehend roundabouts?

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You are giving drivers in Alexandria too much credit. They still crash in the circle multiple times a day. The biggest issue IMO is that the drivers here, much like the rest of the drivers in the state don't comprehend what a yield sign means. They do the exact opposite for what they are supposed to do.

For instance, here in Alexandria, when they should come to a stop and yield to oncoming traffic that has the right of way, they ignore the sign and run into traffic and cause an accident or almost cause one. (Either in the circle or any other intersection controlled by a yield sign).

When they approach an intersection with a yield sign and no oncoming traffic to yield to, they suddenly become the safest driver in America and come to a complete stop, look both ways and then proceed.

Its the same story across the state. They don't understand basic traffic laws and rules or they disregard them entirely. This is why they can't navigate a simple intersection much less a traffic circle.

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The one at dalrymple/lakeshore is pretty shitty design.. but it is more efficient than that old T intersection.

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I disagree. That roundabout functions very well when used properly. Most times drivers slow traffic down by completely stopping before entering the roundabout despite the way being clear.

Get some diverging diamonds to really freak people out

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I disagree. That roundabout functions very well when used properly. Most times drivers slow traffic down by completely stopping before entering the roundabout despite the way being clear.

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It does function well, but the southbound dalyrmple approach is pretty much just a straight shot across to continue going down dalrymple. I've seen idiots fly through there without slowing down. 2 of the 3 legs are good but the southbound leg does not facilitate safe approach speeds.

Traffic Circles/Roundabouts are the best thing ever. They allow way more traffic to flow through an intersection than a standard light. There is no upkeep or adjustment on signals. They dont go our during a storm.

Not to mention, Most signals are times for peak hours, which makes them less efficient during off peak hours.

People will get used to them, once older people start dying off.

it's a simple three-word rule (four max if you add the article "the"): yield. to. circle.

one problem i've seen lately is newer circles are complicated with turn lanes going into the circle so you have to do something besides pay attention to "yield to circle," like make sure you're actually in the circle if you intend to be, and not in the turn lane that takes you out. also, crosswalks in the circle are distracting and dangerous.
circles work properly when you have that one rule to think about, but apparently driver's ed and license exams haven't instilled even that in most drivers.

eta: what's scary is going through one in a British-side-of-road place on your first day there. I did this in St. John and almost shite my pants.

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why can't Louisianians comprehend roundabouts?

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They're not the same thing.

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I'm surprised we don't have more wrecks here in Youngsville with the way people drive right on through them without even yielding.

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Yep, the worst ones are the one's intersecting Milton at Chemin and Verot for traffic. The one at Guillot and Chemin might be the worst though because of the tractors and trailers going through there for the cane fields. You have drivers trying to fly through there to not get behind one of those causing wrecks or near misses every harvest.

Well they must try to drift around ours. It's been open 2 years and we already had 3-4 tip over.

They're an unholy mockery of logic, an unfamiliar bastardization of the social contract and I don't want to have to change my ways to understand how they work.