Traffic Circles in PE

By Björn, September 8, 2009

I don’t know what it is like in other parts of South Africa, or even the world, but here in Port Elizabeth it seems people have no idea how a traffic circle works.

People this is not a 4 way stop! It does not work like a traffic light either. And NO, it is not first come first serve, neither was it designed for people to show how polite they are by letting other people go first.

To those of you who have legally obtained your licenses and have
actually done the K53, you will remember that you learned that traffic
from the right has right of way. That’s it. It’s that simple.

Come now people. I know it’s been hard with traffic circles and speed
bumps (don’t even get me started on the bloody speed bumps!) going up all over town, but they’re here to stay, deal with it
and learn the rules!

In: Rants & Raves

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3 Responses to “Traffic Circles in PE”

  1. On September 18th, 2009 at 11:45 pm Glen said,

    I strongly suggest that you acquaint yourself with the law in respect of traffic circles.
    The mini circle, which is what we have in PE, is exactly like a 4 way stop. The 1st vehicle to cross the line has right of way.

    Another point to note is that in a roundabout you give way to traffic approaching from the right, and here is the important part, within the circle. Not approaching the circle.

    So please learn the rules.
    See http://www.circles.org.za for clarification.

  2. On September 19th, 2009 at 8:14 pm Björn said,

    Wow, thanks for clearing that up Glen! I never realised that there was something like a mini circle. The Arrive Alive website has this to say on mini circles,

    Slow down and give way to other vehicles that cross any Yield line before you do.
    Proceed in a clockwise direction around the painted island, without driving on it.

    They also have this to say about roundabouts:

    - As you enter the roundabout, traffic coming from your right has right of way. This means that traffic streaming into the roundabout from the entrance to your right will keep coming as long as no one is coming from their right.
    - These cars may not even slow down as they enter the roundabout, because they have the right of way. You must stop and wait until there is a break in traffic. Watch out for other traffic in the roundabout.

    It’s all here, http://www.arrivealive.co.za/pages.aspx?i=2163

  3. On September 20th, 2009 at 7:41 am Glen said,

    Live and learn ;)

    One important point on the issue of a roundabout is the part about giving way to traffic approaching from the right – ” he or she shall yield right of way to traffic approaching from the right, within the roundabout,” This is a little further down the page on Arrive Alive and is the wording as contained in the law.

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