U Turns In Bangkok

[yourauntbob]

I was just wondering if anyone knows the origin of why Bangkok's road system is set up with soo many u turns. Are there other counties with the same system? To me, it seems like they cause more traffic build up than if they just had the middle section as a turning lane. They also seem to be the reason people drive down the wrong side of the road on motor bikes.

Looking forward to answers and general comments on the subject.

[noob7]

It's less dangerous, this way. With the me first, me first, me first mentality on the road, only concrete median strips are safe.

And how good the "middle section as a turning lane" works: You can read about that every day in the news!

[BigJohnnyBKK]

Some States have "jughandles" where you make U-turns from the outside (left turns from the right side, right turns from the left side)

Definitely safer but way confusing until you get used to them.

[mogandave]

Probably because going around the block is too difficult.

[yourauntbob]

Does anyone know any other countries that do it this way? I have been to a few counties in EU, Latin America, most of SE Asia and have not seen anything like this.

[noob7]

Does anyone know any other countries that do it this way? I have been to a few counties in EU, Latin America, most of SE Asia and have not seen anything like this.

You mean, eh, that's the reason, that there are so big problems on the roads?

They invented this?

Probably because going around the block is too difficult.

3 times left, plus 1 time straight, would be right, right?

They should do it this way:

And a roundabout need to be minimum twice the size of the widest road, that is crossing it! And the center has to have the width of this 'widest road'. Also it has to be 'in the middle of the way', so that every car needs to turn left, to cross it!

[Digitalbanana]

And a roundabout ...

Roundabouts? That would need a whole new discussion thread or even a forum devoted to Thai's handling of these!

[Payboy]

Victory Monument is a roundabout........with traffic lights.

[JurgenG]

And a roundabout ...

Roundabouts? That would need a whole new discussion thread or even a forum devoted to Thai's handling of these!

Just a simple test : how do you determine who has the priority in a roundabout ?

[Mosha]

The number of near misses I've had on the main high way U-turns. One lady when I was 100 metres away, and decided to trundle across. I wasn't going excessively fast, but How I missed her. I will never know.

[Mosha]

And a roundabout ...

Roundabouts? That would need a whole new discussion thread or even a forum devoted to Thai's handling of these!

Just a simple test : how do you determine who has the priority in a roundabout ?

In the UK, traffic on the roundabout. Here the Hi So has right of way.

[cooked]

I was in a previous life a traffic engineer. U turns seem to be a good solution to me, given the simplicity of the concept and the way that Thais drive.

Roundabouts/traffic islands? Forget it guys, without education these are deadly.

I have a battered pickup and that tends to give me more right of way than a brand new polished Mercedes I find. I can recommend it!

[noob7]

And a roundabout ...

Roundabouts? That would need a whole new discussion thread or even a forum devoted to Thai's handling of these!

Just a simple test : how do you determine who has the priority in a roundabout ?

In the UK, traffic on the roundabout. Here the Hi So has right of way.

But right is right!

Also many don't even have a clue about. The braking in the circle people, I have constantly to honk at (p.ex.)!

I also 'love' the people, parking on the left side, but wanna cross the middle line. More and more car driver to see that way, now. dam_n promotion for first time car buyers!

[BigJohnnyBKK]

Just a simple test : how do you determine who has the priority in a roundabout ?

I've always played "cheaper vehicle" and/or "gutsiest driver".

[pattayadingo]

And a roundabout ...

Roundabouts? That would need a whole new discussion thread or even a forum devoted to Thai's handling of these!

Just a simple test : how do you determine who has the priority in a roundabout ?

Traffic coming from the right has right of way in the UK.

[JurgenG]

And a roundabout ...

Roundabouts? That would need a whole new discussion thread or even a forum devoted to Thai's handling of these!

Just a simple test : how do you determine who has the priority in a roundabout ?

Traffic coming from the right has right of way in the UK.

Not in a roundabout, that would be a recipe for chaos.

Mosha has the right answer, cars already on the roundabout have the priority.

Edit : actually I realize it's the same result for people driving on the wrong left side of the road, apologize to pattayadingo

[noob7]

Roundabouts? That would need a whole new discussion thread or even a forum devoted to Thai's handling of these!

Just a simple test : how do you determine who has the priority in a roundabout ?

Traffic coming from the right has right of way in the UK.

Not in a roundabout, that would be a recipe for chaos.

Mosha has the right answer, cars already on the roundabout have the priority.

Edit : actually I realize it's the same result for people driving on the wrong left side of the road, apologize to pattayadingo

And cars on a roundabout, in the UK or Thailand, are coming...., from the right!

So....!

btw: I love it, during the late afternoon hours, at Hayek Chalong, at the days, 2 or 3 BiB's 'ruling' the circle.

Can't find a spot, to place a Cam somewhere.

Would be better, as this one:

[cooked]

You will notice, on approaching a roundabout, that you are crossing a dashed white line. This means that you do not have right of way. People on the roundabout were there before you so have priority. They are the ideal solution but they must have a certain size.Statistics have long since established thes sizes and are usually ignored in countries that have little experience with them. We always looked on the introduction of traffic lights as an admission of failure (not allowed to knock down historic buildings was one weak excuse we got).

[Semper]

And a roundabout ...

Roundabouts? That would need a whole new discussion thread or even a forum devoted to Thai's handling of these!

Just a simple test : how do you determine who has the priority in a roundabout ?

The guy with the largest vehicle always has priority and not only in roundabouts.

[noob7]

And a roundabout ...

Roundabouts? That would need a whole new discussion thread or even a forum devoted to Thai's handling of these!

Just a simple test : how do you determine who has the priority in a roundabout ?

The guy with the largest vehicle always has priority and not only in roundabouts.

Wasn't that 'largest exhaust outlet'?

But in the end, it comes to the loudest horn and to the willingness, to use it!

Thai vehicle driver do not fear more, than public embarrassment!

Thai vehicle driver may honk back (actually almost always they do), but also mostly they brake, stop, slow down, because of not knowing, who is really wrong, in this moment. But many people start looking and could see ....!

Sometimes, I really like this face thing. But you need to know, when you have to stop honking!

[Digitalbanana]

In Thailand drivers always treat roundabouts like road junctions, so assume right of way as such. The whole purpose of the roundabout is thus made redundant.

[Travel2003]

Traffic signs next to Roundabouts in Sweden reads: Maximum one round per vehicle.

Sorry, I could not resist that old one.

[noob7]

Victory Monument is a roundabout........with traffic lights.

http://goo.gl/maps/ZsDbi

Would be a chaos, without, methinks.

5 lanes to cross?

Here on Phuket, the problem starts with more than 2 lanes, but no traffic light. They need to narrow the road:

http://goo.gl/maps/XKSmu

And block the access to the Ha Yek, bacause of the are 5 roads connected to;

http://goo.gl/maps/2bf72

(Did I mention, that I love street view, for Phuket?)