Roundabouts: A Life Lesson

There is a (fairly) new roundabout where I live.  It's not a traditional one but is a genius design.  A lot of people will disagree; it's taken some time to get used to it. And as a ponder on the difficulty of maneuvering this new traffic pattern, I am reminded of why we sometimes have such a hard time with it.

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Lesson 1: Read the Directions

There are signs that tell you what lane you need to be in before you get there. And, even more genius still, there are dotted lines that tell you how to follow your lane.  It was a bit confusing at first and even now I find myself in the wrong lane, usually as a result of autopilot.  We learn very early how to read and follow directions, but we rarely do.  Have a new piece of electronic to set up? I immediately toss the directions; I can figure it out on my own.  We especially don't read directions if there are buttons to push.  We push those buttons and then figure out what they do.  Generally, we are a toss out directions society (unless you purchase furniture from IKEA, never throw those out.)

This roundabout is different.  You have to follow the lines and you have to read the directions.  For the sake and safety of others and the flow of traffic, which roundabouts encourage.

Lesson 2: Sense of Entitlement

I know you think that's your lane.  After all, you are in it.  But you don't own that lane.  There are no squatter's rights when it comes to roundabouts.  Someone might need that lane more than you.  Someone might even deserve that lane more than you.  Someone else might think that lane belongs to them.  Be aware of your surroundings and stop claiming lanes like the last piece of bread in the Hunger Games.

Lesson 3: Looking out for Each Other

Since when did we become a society that doesn't look out for others? Speaking of needing a lane more than you, there are semi trucks that might need a little of your lane.  Slow down, give them room and watch out for others.  Help them through the roundabout.  When my sister hits the roundabout, she hits her horn.  She says to others, watch out! We are all in this together.  So when you enter the roundabout, do so with the understanding that there are other drivers who deserve to be there as much as you do. Help them out.  There's no prize at the end if you are the first one around.

Let us take these lessons and apply to them to our roundabouts and our lives.  Roundabouts are good (see this article here) and eventually, we will all learn how to conquer them.  Of course, then we have to watch out for visitors...