What is so difficult about negotiating a round-about? The approach is marked with "yield" signs, "One Way" signs, and in some cases, even a cute little circle of arrows showing the way.
Yesterday evening, as I approached the Plaza circle, I saw a small pick-up truck going the wrong way, hugging the inside curb, at about 5 mph. The poor driver had one passenger and they both looked very intense as they tried to decide where/how to get off the merry go-round. I tried to wave to them - didn't want to honk as that may have scared him - but he finally turned off on South Third street.
This is not the first time I've seen this happen. But that's not the biggest problem. The real mess comes when the traffic is heavy, usually around 3pm.
That circle becomes a 3-lane game of Frogger.
There are cars backed up waiting for the light at Hwy 33, cars driving on the outside (along the right-hand curb) exiting on Salado to avoid the back up, and then the cars trying to exit past W. Las Palmas, that hug the inside curb to pass the standing line of cars.
God help the poor pedestrians who may be trying to use the cross walks - hope they were good at Frogger!!!
So here's my advice on how to drive in Patterson............
As you approach any roundabout - you should expect to yield to any traffic that is either: a) already on the round-about; or b) entering the roundabout from a street to your left. This is one case when the driver on your LEFT has the right of way.
Try some patience and courtesy too. Maybe we should add road signs: "Entering a patience zone"........... or "Courtesy required next 1/4 mile" . whadaya think?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment