We often hear South Africans complain about their fellow drivers when they have to navigate the Roundabout/ traffic circle or the mini – circle! What could be the reasons for this? We decided to approach Howard Dembovsky from Justice Project South Africa for an explanation!
How well informed are South African drivers when it comes to safe driving at the roundabout/ traffic circle and mini-traffic circle?
Elsewhere in the world there is only one name for a painted or physical circle in the middle of the road. That name is a “roundabout”. More importantly, there is only one rule applicable to a roundabout – give way to vehicles approaching from the right that are already in the roundabout.
But inexplicably, some bright spark decided it would be a good idea to introduce another type of roundabout on South African roads, and to call it a “mini-circle”. Worse, that same bright spark decided it would be a good idea to make a different rule for so-called “mini-circles”. The rule at so-called “mini-circles” works on a first-come-first-served basis. In other words, whoever crosses the broken (yield) line at the entrance to the roundabout first, has right of way.
It has been my observation, by survey and discussion, that few drivers have the faintest idea that there are two types of so-called “traffic circles” in South Africa. Not knowing the rules leads to unnecessary conflict, flared tempers and prolific use of hooters and/or finger gestures.
What are the major contributing factors to road crashes/ collisions at the roundabout/ traffic circle and mini-traffic circle?
As with everything else, inattention, arrogance and/or over-estimation of one’s driving skill can contribute to the likelihood of a crash occurring at a roundabout.
When properly constructed, roundabouts are intrinsically safe intersections. They are also an extremely effective and efficient means of vehicular traffic flow control. The key phrase, however, is “properly constructed” and some of them I have seen in South Africa do not come close to meeting this criterion.
This may come as a surprise, but when Sweden embarked the mass replacement of traffic light-controlled intersections with roundabouts, the instances of collisions increased. However, this was offset by a marked decrease in the severity of crashes, owing to the greatly reduced speed at which they occurred. Thankfully though, as drivers became accustomed to using roundabouts, the instances of collisions in them decreased.
I cannot think of a single reason why South African road authorities have chosen to make use of four-way stops and traffic light-controlled intersections instead of roundabouts outside of City centres. Then again, I can’t think of a single reason why those same authorities decided to introduce two types of roundabout. Logic and simplicity, it would seem, do not rank highly on their list of priorities.
Why would you say are there so much confusion among motorists with regards to the basic driving principles at the roundabout/ traffic circle and mini-traffic circle?
I don’t think it is difficult to deduce that the concept of having two completely different rules applicable to what is in essence, the same kind of junction, is nonsensical. This is particularly so since determining which circle is which is wholly dependent on the signage and/or road markings present at or near it.
If there are no road signs – what would be the tell-tale signs that you are dealing with a Roundabout/ traffic circle and no[t] a mini-traffic circle?
Would any of the following be a guide?
-Size of the “circle/ island”, lanes on approach and around the “circle/island”, any elevation of the “circle/island”
If there is no signage or road markings at or neat a circle in the roadway, it is a roundabout and the rules of a roundabout should be observed. The size of the circle or island is not and can never be a guide. It has been my observation that many road authorities have made a habit of incorrectly signposting these road features. This is not clever and has undesirable consequences.
What would be your best advice on defensive driving at the roundabout/ traffic circle and mini-traffic circle?
I know that it may be regarded as grossly unreasonable of me to advise that drivers exercise common sense, but I am going to do it anyway. However, to be specific, never assume that you have right of way. Rather err on the side of caution and give way to the right as you should be doing at all other junctions. Ultimately, it is less important who has “right of way” and more important to avoid colliding with other vehicles, people and objects. If that means giving someone who is less considerate than you so-called “right of way”, what does it hurt you to do it?
Best Regards,
Howard Dembovsky
Chairperson – Justice Project South Africa (NPC)
Safe Driving at the Traffic Circle / Roundabout – Obey the Rules of the Road & Road Markings!! https://t.co/isaQkW56Kv #ArriveAlive #Roundabout #TrafficCircle [Photo from Cape Town via South African Stories] pic.twitter.com/ZDw4bHZCJZ
— Arrive Alive (@_ArriveAlive) April 1, 2020