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http://www.omniture.com --> Sections Home Page Local News AP News Blogs Archives Business Classifieds Event Calendar Forums Life Opinion Obituaries Multimedia Photo Gallery Readers Photo Gallery Sports Tempo Weather Road Cams Special Coverage 2006 Britt Festivals --> Shop Our Valley AutoFinder HomeFinder JobFinder Search Our Valley Special Sections Distinctly Northwest Readers' Choice Homelife Magazine Joy Magazine Oregon Golf Info Oregon Wine Info Other Publications Local Links Ashland News eSouthernOregon Newspapers In Education Personals Moving Here Movie Listings TV Listings Volunteer Customer Service Advertise With Us Media Kit Place Classified Ad Contact Us FAQ's Home Delivery Site Map --> Email Story to a Friend February 14, 2007 Since You Asked: What comes around, goes around I just drove through the new roundabout at Highland and Siskiyou. Two cars entered the circle drive, to my left, and I waited to make sure they exited before turning in front of them. The car directly behind me honked their horn repeatedly, and I could see the driver was frustrated. Was I doing something wrong? -- Robert, via e-mail Forgive us, Robert. That was us behind you at the roundabout. Perhaps you thought instead we were in those cars with blinkers on ... and you didn't trust that we were actually going to make our turn? We're assuming the blinkers were on (you say you "waited to make sure they exited"), so it appears you were guilty of being too cautious. The driver behind you must have seen their blinkers and expected you to enter the roundabout without waiting (there's a "yield" sign there, not a "stop"). When you didn't budge after the first car, we imagine the other driver probably began speaking in tongues and using a form of emphatic sign language common on the road these days. AAA has a translation dictionary (or they should). OK, next time, just get rid of the idea that you're at a "roundabout" at all ... imagine you're at a "T" intersection with a one-way street. You look left and see two cars coming to the intersection and both have their blinkers on, signalling that they plan to make a right turn. Should you turn ahead of them in that instance? Of course. The problem with being too careful here is that you could conceivably be waiting a long time until the roundabout cleared of traffic before making your turn. Speeds in that roundabout are so slow we'd argue that even if you pulled out and the person didn't make their signalled turn, they would have time to brake without hitting you. You're practicing defensive driving, which is good, but in this instance it seems defensive to the extreme. Being too defensive can cause accidents because frustrated drivers might do something unsafe to get around you. Send questions to "Since You Asked," Mail Tribune Newsroom, P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501; by fax to 541-776-4376; or by e-mail to [email protected] . Would you like to respond to this story? If so Click Here to visit our forums. Advertisement Copyright © 1997-2007 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback online casinos news Home Security Systems Online Casino Reviews Fundraisers UK Homeowner Loans Casinos Canada Cord Blood Banking Entertainment Guide Texas Electric Choice Compare Electric rates in Texas Windermere Van Vleet Trunks, Footlocker Men's Clothing Debt Help