It seems as if traffic circles and roundabouts just keep popping up everywhere! I fully understand that the intention (when a four-way stop is turned into a circular traffic pattern) is to slow down the speed of the cars, prevent accidents and ensure the continuous flow of traffic. However, when I see what results as I endeavor my way through the traffic circles in my community, the whole concept boggles my mind! What has been built for the purpose of calming traffic and aesthetics seems to create chaos, confusion and danger!
You undoubtedly already know that the entrances to traffic circles are either controlled by yield or stop signs or not formally controlled at all. These circular junctions give priority to the cars already in the circle and the yield signs are there for a reason...to slow down approaching cars to avoid collisions. What I have continually noticed is that 9 out of 10 times, the cars approaching the roundabout fly right through the yield signs! It is as if they do not even see the large bright red and white signs. Perhaps you have experienced this as well or maybe you are proudly or inadvertently one of the non-yielding offenders!
Failure to Yield is categorized as “reckless” driving and comes with penalties, fines and possible license suspensions. I don't know if drivers realize this as they make the choice to ignore the posted yield signs.
Have there been other times in our lives when we have failed to yield?
How about when we go foraging in the fridge even when we are not hungry? For awhile I kept a small magnet of a yield sign on my refrigerator to serve as a reminder before absentmindedly grabbing a snack.
Have you ever blurted something out in either frustration or anger and wished you could take it back? One of my college friends actually carried a small yield sign in her pocket when she was newly married so she would be reminded to “slow down and proceed with caution” before saying something hurtful to her new husband.
Fitness instructors, myself included, have their students sign a liability waiver that states that you should consult with your doctor before exerting yourself in a new workout practice...another example of yielding before forging ahead.
How about my son’s school administration accidentally sending out an email yesterday to the parents instead of the staff?! Whoops! That was most definitely a failure to yield!
Just like the yield signs at the traffic circles, the yields we apply in our lives can serve the same purpose...slowing us down and protecting us from harm.