Category: street

09/05/06 08:04 - 58ºF - ID#25872

Traffic Criclescirclescircles...

I need help.

I had a run in with a very angry driver last night on Delaware Ave. It wasn't pleasant. I had dropped a friend off at home around midnight last night and on the way home I almost got into two accidents. One of them was a lovely man who decided to run the stop light at Allen and Delaware, the second was... duh duh duuuuuh... the traffic circle! Gates Circle- I've always loved it, but I always hate driving around it. No matter what I do I almost get into an accident.

So here is the story.

Drop friend off out on Pearl Street. Turn around, come home Delaware. Avoid evil driver at Allen. Approach Gates Circle with four other cars. I have to turn down Lafayette and the other four cars are in both lanes going fast, obviously planning on continuing down Delaware. (MAP TO: 33%20GATES%20CIRCLE) I tried to get them all to pass me so I could have open access to the circle, but no. One evil driver decided to get on the inside of the circle. I had to stay on the outside and manage to get all the way over to Lafayette. Next thing I know I'm hearing his horn blaring in my ear. What a jerk. I understand that he thinks I'm to blame for my bad driving, but he obviously doesn't understand how difficult it can be to turn down this street.

Ok, my pity party is done. If anyone knows the actual traffic laws for traffic circles please share with me. The last thing I want right now is another ticket!

ladycroft writes at 02:12:17 09/06/06 - Comment #11245: interesting. i've never had an issue there. i love roundabouts. i think they make more sense without stop signs though.

enknot writes at 09:48:07 09/06/06 - Comment #11243: Oh man! Have I ever been waiting to tell someone these rules since it seems we have a multitude of traffic circles in this city and no one seems to know how to use them, so don't fret. You're not the only one.

[link=http://www.ehow.com/how_6655_drive-traffic-circle.html]Here[/link] is a link that has the general rules.

There's a traffic circle rule of thumb that'll save you in the circle if ever youâ€™re not sure what to do; it goes: The further inside the circle you are the more right of way you have.

So, if someone's in there and you want on, you have to wait till you're sure you can get on without smashing them, and if someone's on the inside land and they want out, let them out. You're kind of in their blind spot so it would behoove you to be nice, and it the LAW!

The center lane's not that hard. If you're there and you need to get off just signal your intent (people forget they have turn signals when they get into traffic circles), move towards the outside and make your exit. The exit can come up fast so if you're getting off soon try and stay right and/or signal early. If you've no choice slow down and signal. The circle rule applies here so after signaling people should slow down or turn with you to let you out. If they don't, don't loose patience, since most times inside the circle people forget how to drive. Just give them some time and adjust. Break lights should work when you apply the breaks and people behind you typically pay attention to them at least.

See that wasn't so hard.

libertad writes at 09:49:04 09/05/06 - Comment #11241: Chances are you won't get a ticket in the city, unless it is for parking. Otherwise you just have to learn how to survive in the circle of death.

carolinian writes at 07:59:18 09/05/06 - Comment #11238: The first time I seriously drove around Buffalo after moving up here, I nearly got into an accident at that circle. For me, having cars approaching from the directions they did violated my usual expectations about how cars act.

I'm used to it now, but I try my best to cut around using Forest+Elmwood since that circle's more trouble than it's worth.

joshua writes at 11:07:26 09/05/06 - Comment #11220: I go through that circle every day on my way home from work - I believe that Gates Circle has stop signs on all four or five entry roads. The only rules as far as I know are to a)yield to the cars already in the circle before going in, and b)although this is unwritten - NEVER switch lanes once you are in the circle when its busy. If you know you are turning off rather quickly, make sure you are hugging right side before you enter the circle.

Permalink: Traffic_Criclescirclescircles_.html
Words: 270
Location: Buffalo, NY

Category: city

09/04/06 06:48 - 66ºF - ID#25871

City Life

I saw a sticker on a light post at Delaware Ave by Gates Circle. [Estrip.ORG]... What on earth? So here I am!

An entire lifetime spent in Western New York, but now, at 25 I move to Elmwood Village! I moved here last weekend- It's bittersweet in a way. I moved out here to be closer to my friends, and now that I made the move they're all moving away.

I need to meet people, and to be quite honest I think I've forgotten how to. I am a loner in a way, I guess I've always marched to the beat of my own drum- but in a very classic sort of way. I speak my mind and do as I please, and I manage to offend people by doing so. I come off bold, sarcastic, and snobby- but you'll see through my posts that I am witty, intelligent, and obsessed with the well being of others. I am real, just like everyone else... I've posted blogs in the past with great response- So sit back and get ready for the time of your life. I'm looking forward to being able to share my thoughts and life again!

Thanks estrip.gov! I love Elmwood strip, I always have. Now that I'm here I hope to make the most of it!