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Traffic circle etiquette

  • Published
  • By Officer Larry R. Sparr
  • 6th Security Forces Squadron

Contractors recently completed a new traffic circle, also known as a roundabout, at the intersection of SOCOM Memorial Way and Tampa Point Boulevard with a new traffic pattern heading south on Tampa Point Boulevard into the U.S. Special Operation Command compound.

Tampa Point Boulevard is a one-way from Bayshore Boulevard to the SOCOM compound.

The etiquette for entering a traffic circle is to yield for the vehicular traffic already in the circle. The vehicles driving around the circle have the right-of-way always.

At the dashed yield line, look to your left and yield to drivers already in the roundabout. Remember, in a multi-lane roundabout, you must yield to both lanes of traffic.

Once a gap in traffic appears, merge into the roundabout and proceed to your exit. Look for pedestrians and use your turn signal before you exit. 

The same rules apply for the traffic circle located just north of the main gate on Dale Mabry Highway. Please be cautious when entering the traffic circles and slow down to avoid traffic accidents.

For additional information, refer to the Florida Department of Transportation website: http://www.fdot.gov/traffic/TrafficServices.