Asheron Posted September 3, 2015 Share Posted September 3, 2015 I have travelled "some" in my life but can't remember any country where they actually have traffic lights in a roundabout. Of course there might have been such a nation but i just didn't pay attention as i usually never drive in any country i visit... In Ubon ratchathani just outside Rajabhat university is a large roundabout and a clock tower in the middle of it. And that roundabout has traffic lights. I'm pondering... doesn't traffic lights defeat the entire purpose of a roundabout? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richard_smith237 Posted September 3, 2015 Share Posted September 3, 2015 Many many Traffic Roundabouts in the UK have Traffic lights. Its really very common. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daveAustin Posted September 3, 2015 Share Posted September 3, 2015 Suggest getting out more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Asheron Posted September 3, 2015 Author Share Posted September 3, 2015 Many many Traffic Roundabouts in the UK have Traffic lights. Its really very common. What's the point with a roundabout then? That is my question... surely the meaning of having a roundabout is so that the traffic can flow without traffic lights? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Asheron Posted September 3, 2015 Author Share Posted September 3, 2015 Suggest getting out more. I suggest that you reread and think for a second or two. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
topt Posted September 3, 2015 Share Posted September 3, 2015 (edited) Many many Traffic Roundabouts in the UK have Traffic lights. Its really very common. What's the point with a roundabout then? That is my question... surely the meaning of having a roundabout is so that the traffic can flow without traffic lights? Can you imagine Victory Monument roundabout in Bangkok without lights........it has about 8/10 junctions and would be absolute and total chaos Edited September 3, 2015 by topt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cooked Posted September 3, 2015 Share Posted September 3, 2015 Putting lights on a roundabout indicates that the traffic engineers have come up against the fact that nobody bothers to explain how roundabouts are supposed to work. In other countries it means they ran out of money/space. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Asheron Posted September 3, 2015 Author Share Posted September 3, 2015 Many many Traffic Roundabouts in the UK have Traffic lights. Its really very common. What's the point with a roundabout then? That is my question... surely the meaning of having a roundabout is so that the traffic can flow without traffic lights? Can you imagine Victory Monument roundabout in Bangkok without lights........it has about 8/10 junctions and would be absolute and total chaos Can't see what's so complicated about this: https://goo.gl/mFYW4o That is if all (most) people behind the steering wheel actually were thought how to drive in a roundabout. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amusements Posted September 3, 2015 Share Posted September 3, 2015 (edited) OP Quote "doesn't traffic lights defeat the entire purpose of a roundabout?" NO!!!!!! I have been round this roundabout many many times (bike & car) and never had a problem. The lights work, and drivers respect the red light, and stop for the most part. You still get the odd light jumper, but most drivers expect the unexpected there, and accidents are usually avoided. However...I have only been round the roundabout in Chewang on Koh Samui several times and almost been t-boned, run off the road, beeped at profusely, and almost hit head on, all by arrogant drivers who don't give way to anybody coming from the right. This roundabout has NO TRAFFIC LIGHTS. Edited September 3, 2015 by Amusements Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Asheron Posted September 3, 2015 Author Share Posted September 3, 2015 OP Quote "doesn't traffic lights defeat the entire purpose of a roundabout?" NO!!!!!! I have been round this roundabout many many times (bike & car) and never had a problem. The lights work, and drivers respect the red light, and stop for the most part. You still get the odd light jumper, but most drivers expect the unexpected there, and accidents are usually avoided. However...I have only been round the roundabout in Chewang on Koh Samui several times and almost been t-boned, run off the road, beeped at profusely, and almost hit head on, all by arrogant drivers who don't give way to anybody coming from the right. This roundabout has NO TRAFFIC LIGHTS. I would definitely say yes: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roundabout (read the second paragraph) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
topt Posted September 3, 2015 Share Posted September 3, 2015 Many many Traffic Roundabouts in the UK have Traffic lights. Its really very common. What's the point with a roundabout then? That is my question... surely the meaning of having a roundabout is so that the traffic can flow without traffic lights? Can you imagine Victory Monument roundabout in Bangkok without lights........it has about 8/10 junctions and would be absolute and total chaos Can't see what's so complicated about this: https://goo.gl/mFYW4o That is if all (most) people behind the steering wheel actually were thought how to drive in a roundabout. Which is why one dimensional diagrams are so limiting - drive round it and then tell me the same......... As to your last comment - are you sure you are not trolling? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phazey Posted September 3, 2015 Share Posted September 3, 2015 I find the local drivers extremely undisciplined when it comes to roundabout etiquette. In my home town we have the "Magic Roundabout" - Something like that in Thailand would be carnage! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Asheron Posted September 3, 2015 Author Share Posted September 3, 2015 What's the point with a roundabout then? That is my question... surely the meaning of having a roundabout is so that the traffic can flow without traffic lights? Can you imagine Victory Monument roundabout in Bangkok without lights........it has about 8/10 junctions and would be absolute and total chaos Can't see what's so complicated about this: https://goo.gl/mFYW4o That is if all (most) people behind the steering wheel actually were thought how to drive in a roundabout. Which is why one dimensional diagrams are so limiting - drive round it and then tell me the same......... As to your last comment - are you sure you are not trolling? Trolling about what? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richard_smith237 Posted September 3, 2015 Share Posted September 3, 2015 Its really quite simple why traffic lights on busy traffic islands are necessary, particularly during peak periods where traffic may flow from a dominant direction thus 'dominating' the Traffic Island. Traffic lights reduce the 'dominance' effect permitting traffic from other directions to use the traffic Island (i.e. next road to the left). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Basil B Posted September 3, 2015 Share Posted September 3, 2015 Would be a good idea... except Thai's turn left on red regardless of traffic laws. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seajae Posted September 3, 2015 Share Posted September 3, 2015 mate, just look at any intersection without lights and you have your answer, thais dont have the first clue as to who has right of way. While many simply stop due to their indecision some simply power through and dont care of they have right of way or not. I am amazed at how bad many drivers are as they simply cannot understand that going straight ahead has right of way on cars wanting to turn, they usually just keep edging forward till they block the lane forcing the cars that have right of way to stop, without lights roundabouts in Thailand would be backed up for miles Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavisH Posted September 3, 2015 Share Posted September 3, 2015 Many many Traffic Roundabouts in the UK have Traffic lights. Its really very common. What's the point with a roundabout then? That is my question... surely the meaning of having a roundabout is so that the traffic can flow without traffic lights? Probably because Thais don't know how to use them. Giving way to traffic already on a roundabout is an alien concept (all puns intended). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
malt25 Posted September 3, 2015 Share Posted September 3, 2015 Maybe it wasn't originally a roundabout. Maybe just an area of land where the clock tower was built & over years of some development in the area it just turned into a roundabout. Maybe the traffic lights were there long before. It might have just been an intersection & overtime developed into a roundabout. That's my roundabout way of trying to suggest what might have occurred. I think it's roundabout time I was getting around to having a beer. Cheers..... Mal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ghostnigel Posted September 3, 2015 Share Posted September 3, 2015 (edited) Many many Traffic Roundabouts in the UK have Traffic lights. Its really very common. What's the point with a roundabout then? That is my question... surely the meaning of having a roundabout is so that the traffic can flow without traffic lights? Normally, it would be for smaller roads to get a chance to enter the roundabout, because the main throughfare would be so busy with traffic, there was no gaps to enter. Hence, stopping the busy flow to allow entry from the 'sides'.It was done for that reason in my old town anyway... Edited September 3, 2015 by Ghostnigel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thrilled Posted September 3, 2015 Share Posted September 3, 2015 I know in circles in Thailand that don't have traffic lights you need to be extra careful.If your not careful you will get hit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stoneyboy Posted September 3, 2015 Share Posted September 3, 2015 Many many Traffic Roundabouts in the UK have Traffic lights. Its really very common. True but they wouldn't ever be situated on the roundabout. They would be at the junctions of each entry point of the roundabout or possibly halfway round. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stoneyboy Posted September 3, 2015 Share Posted September 3, 2015 How about Swindon's Magic roundabout with mini roundabouts. How would they handle that baby here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrTee Posted September 3, 2015 Share Posted September 3, 2015 How about Swindon's Magic roundabout with mini roundabouts. How would they handle that baby here. ImageUploadedByThaivisa Connect1441292233.120571.jpg hahhaa - hours of fun.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
topt Posted September 3, 2015 Share Posted September 3, 2015 How about Swindon's Magic roundabout with mini roundabouts. How would they handle that baby here. ImageUploadedByThaivisa Connect1441292233.120571.jpg Looks different from that view point as to how I remember it - but it was a while ago I was last there. Not sure which was worse - that or Hemel Hempstead. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arthurwait Posted September 3, 2015 Share Posted September 3, 2015 Many many Traffic Roundabouts in the UK have Traffic lights. Its really very common. What's the point with a roundabout then? That is my question... surely the meaning of having a roundabout is so that the traffic can flow without traffic lights? Can you imagine Victory Monument roundabout in Bangkok without lights........it has about 8/10 junctions and would be absolute and total chaos Can't see what's so complicated about this: https://goo.gl/mFYW4o That is if all (most) people behind the steering wheel actually were thought how to drive in a roundabout. I assume you mean taught, I don't think Thais are taught how to use roundabouts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arthurwait Posted September 3, 2015 Share Posted September 3, 2015 As said there are loads in the UK like this. Around the Crawley/Gatwick industrial area there are loads. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sayonarax Posted September 6, 2015 Share Posted September 6, 2015 Thais have no idea how to use a round about. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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