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yuvng_matt t1_it4ptid wrote

Its crazy how many people are blaming road design and not careless drivers. Roundabouts are a safer more efficient alternative to signals.

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-Codfish_Joe t1_it4xb9s wrote

>Roundabouts are a safer more efficient alternative to signals.

Which these drivers don't use anyway.

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Adventurenauts t1_it5wzkt wrote

Because road design actually means safety, not just thoughts and prayers like the alternative.

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wojtekthesoldierbear t1_it54zh2 wrote

Roundabouts are frigging rad. Don't know why so many people have problems with them.

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Few-Cable5130 t1_it58hk4 wrote

This one just doesn't flow properly, it's much harder to get in and out of than it should be.

The Lee circle used to be awful but love it now that it's 2 lanes all the way. I still cannot comprehend how it works without everyone crashing but somehow you just drive through and it works?

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Boats_are_fun t1_it5bqjm wrote

Lee circle works great. I concur that it defies logic though

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Few-Cable5130 t1_it5d2ls wrote

My brain flashed error messages first time I encountered it.

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rahnster_wright t1_it5jhcx wrote

>I still cannot comprehend how it works without everyone crashing but somehow you just drive through and it works?

Perfectly said.

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mikedip3 t1_it58bo6 wrote

Because people don’t understand how to drive through them and yield properly

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Cast__Away t1_it6usub wrote

Modern roundabouts are rad! But the Portsmouth Traffic Circle is NOT a roundabout. Its way too large and doesn't have other design elements to be a modern roundabout.

This is a classic New England rotary and should be removed or updated like the other ones.

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averageduder t1_it5m3ul wrote

The only rotary that is a problem is the Lee one. Portsmouth is top tier.

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FaustusC t1_it69v2e wrote

Nah. Heading north, you get dumbasses trying to merge in both ways, blocking traffic.

Heading in from Maine, past the liquor store, rhe amount of assholes who fly straight from the right is also insanely high.

Legitimately, PPD should just permanently sit an officer there and it would easily beat our tourism revenue.

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Mr-_-Soandso t1_it6tlib wrote

That’s not a problem with the circle design. It’s a problem of people ignorant of what a solid white line means or just plain assholes.

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DadIsPunny t1_it6vq0m wrote

What lines? There might have been lines at some point, but there aren't visible lines now.

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Mr-_-Soandso t1_it6wn1b wrote

There are solid white lines that separate the lane that enters the circle from the right lanes that can just continue as if making a right hand turn. They have always been there and are very visible. Solid white lines are also internationally known as something not to cross, so there is no excuse for anyone to be doing so. The circle has a far more straightforward design than many, however a lot of people feel they have the right to skip the line or are just plain stupid.

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DadIsPunny t1_it6yfww wrote

It's not that straight forward. If you look at the signage from each direction, every exit is a double lane exit when not every right lane has to exit. It defies traffic circle logic. I'm pretty sure we don't get accidents there because people are actually paying attention. But I've never actually seen anyone trying to merge approaching that particular except the people leaving the circle K which got better when they extended the parking lot.

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raxnbury t1_it77x1n wrote

I always love when the state police just stand on the side of the circle and just wave those assholes over.

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atdoomsgate- t1_it6wp3g wrote

The Lee one sucks, I've had so many close calls as I'm trying to exit it where I've clearly signaled since they just jump into the rotary then honk at me like I'm the problem lol

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Hextall2727 t1_it4c7er wrote

(Laughs in Lee Traffic circle)

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MartoufCarter t1_it4d89s wrote

HAHAHA! One of the most poorly designed circles.

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Happy_Confection90 t1_it55aup wrote

Re-design. It was just a regular circle with only 1 lane until just a few years ago. 2016, maybe? I can't imagine how it got approved.

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meposet t1_it5vkgz wrote

It's a standard two lane roundabout?

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nullcompany t1_it7i5fo wrote

The double roundabout is terrifying. It is best to consider it a traffic amnesty zone. There is no justice, there is no fairness, there is only throughput.

As terrifying as it is, it basically killed the constant traffic jams. So which do we really hate more

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RelationshipJust9556 t1_it4k32x wrote

There has to be a live feed of that circle somewhere. I can only imagine the amount of near misses per hour that thing creates.

I’ve had to hard break in the circle as a tractor trailer was going in and I didn’t want to be smushed. Mid cursing of him I suddenly thought. Well wtf was he to do not like he can zoom out from full stop

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beyond_hate t1_it6oqy6 wrote

I don't understand why. It cannot be more clear of a system. First exit, right lane. All else, left lane.

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Trust_The_Process21 t1_it4trc0 wrote

I promise you, roundabouts are better than jug-handles

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Happy_Confection90 t1_it54tqz wrote

Oh man, do you remember the terrible one in Kingston on 125? I'm surprised I never got into an accident there.

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every1getslaid t1_it4lpis wrote

I use to hate it, now I take joy in honking at the people who can’t wait their turn in the left lane.

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astrochellie1800 t1_it5gfig wrote

Suggestion: don't ever intend to drive in Revere, MA or Medford, MA then

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Fitzy235 t1_it5h307 wrote

I thought I hated the Portsmouth traffic circle till I moved to mass. The Portsmouth one is a godsend in comparison…

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astrochellie1800 t1_it5kg8e wrote

I will be forever happy when I don't have to do the wellington circle run during rush hour ever again

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Omelettedufromage14 t1_it4gu45 wrote

the worst is when you’re coming from 16 and people in the right lane don’t wanna wait so they just cut you off. it can be really really dangerous.

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gravitybongresin t1_it51pyl wrote

I'm always in the right lane because I take 95N and nothing infuriates me more than people slamming on their brakes because they realize they need to merge left

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kikrs999 t1_it5oonb wrote

I love it when there are stealth staties waiting to bag those people

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HazardousWeather t1_it7x7k5 wrote

The worst at the Portsmouth Circle for me is taking a right into the NH State Liquor Store when cars are zooming down from Maine on the US 1 Bypass and taking the first right to go up the Spaulding 16. You have to cross their path somehow to turn into the store with less than a 100 yards and little line of sight to do so.

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danlson381 t1_it4rhy9 wrote

It’s not my fault your effing around on your phone and not paying attention to the cars in front of you. Ya snooze, ya lose!!!!

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Omelettedufromage14 t1_it4s1y4 wrote

but i am paying attention… ? people cut you off regardless because they don’t understand that the right lane is exit to 95S only…

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manmvrderer t1_it584fg wrote

People that do this cause so many accidents, patience really is a virtue 😇

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She_W0lfe t1_it6z2re wrote

I think it's better than the Lee traffic circle!

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[deleted] t1_it91745 wrote

What? The Lee circle is literally as simple as it gets.

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She_W0lfe t1_it94jzq wrote

It's too small. People enter it and go to the left and then just cut people off to exit on the right. I feel the the Portsmouth one has more structure amd direction.

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[deleted] t1_it97q4w wrote

It’s literally two lanes and includes room on the sides. If people can’t control their vehicles that’s on them, not the road.

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She_W0lfe t1_it98axp wrote

Just giving my opinion based on my experiences.

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stevo2882 t1_it4h5ty wrote

Derry traffic circle is the worst. There are 5 entrances/exits and it’s too small to properly regulate traffic.

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tissuefondler t1_it6mhyq wrote

Portsmouth is far worse. For context I’m 36, and grew up in Derry. Lived in Derry until the last 10 years or so. Things have certainly changed, but Derry doesn’t deal with the RTE 1 bypass coming from the Sarah long bridge. I drive that route daily. I stay in the right hand lane to turn right, to go RTE 16N. I have been cut off more times than I can count by someone entering from the “on ramp” from Woodbury. People will try to force their way into the left lane by parking their ass across the right lane. Earlier this week I was cut off from the left lane, because they didn’t want to wait for 5 cars in front of them to enter the circle, and then entered illegally and almost got t-boned by traffic exiting the circle to go 16N. This is a daily, multiple times daily, constant issue. Realistically I’d like to say charge with reckless endangerment and suspend license. The few times people have been pulled over for doing this shit I’ve seen has not deterred others from doing it. Make some examples. Especially the ones who park in or across the right lane trying to force their way into the left. And for those who know the area and may be wondering, there are lane marking signs well before you’re forced to do something like that. At least before the Woodbury bridge.

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stevo2882 t1_it7na4t wrote

I was referring to the design of the circle. Of course there are far more people traveling the Portsmouth circle that aren’t familiar with it and doing reckless things. However the design of the circle makes perfect sense and anyone with half a brain should be able to figure out how to navigate it. The circle in Derry is poorly designed and causes traffic to back up because people don’t have enough time and space to enter it safely.

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capttuna t1_it5jlzu wrote

That’s because it has street that come to it at different angles

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stevo2882 t1_it5x2ue wrote

East Derry road sneaks it’s way in there. I haven’t lived there in about 6 years but at 5 PM 28 would be backed up.

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capttuna t1_it74cae wrote

I Always kind of barge into it from 102 like ok we gotta move ppl

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skankersores t1_it5h2vs wrote

I don't understand. I drive this twice daily. You have to drive defensively. I've had someone behind me pull out and lay on the horn 1 time, and that in snow conditions. Take a second, it'll be fine

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fjphil OP t1_it5vcuf wrote

I drive it several times per week too...doesn't mean I gotta like it. If I had a nickel for every time I've almost been sideswiped by someone trying to sneak back into the circle after realizing they don't wanna get on 95.

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mastadonmon t1_it53fkn wrote

The Roundabout Diner is pretty good though. I recommend the eggs Benedict.

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therealvertical t1_it5e8pz wrote

I've never had a good experience there. Food and service were terrible. I've only been there twice and I think I'm in the minority on my opinion.

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LittleChocha t1_it557c9 wrote

I will never eat there ever again after I worked with someone who worked there as his first job. He was an older dude, sex offender and was just really nasty weird in general. They let HIM cook food!? I’ll never go again (hadn’t even been besides once years and years ago)

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Few-Cable5130 t1_it58mvv wrote

You may want to reconsider eating out in most places because that describes at least 1 employee in every restaurant kitchen in America.

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LittleChocha t1_it5czh4 wrote

Damn I guess you should too then

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williswillardthe3rd t1_it71xle wrote

your not gonna like r/kitchenconfidential lol

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LittleChocha t1_it9eos1 wrote

You do realize that I realize there’s nasty people in every restaurant. I was just specifically stating why I don’t go to that one because it even more nasty when you know the exact details of who’s making your food. You guys can downvote me all you want but you still eat out too 😂 glad I rarely do

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bizmike88 t1_it7625a wrote

The problem with rotaries in general is that people don’t realize they need to fully commit to what they are doing. Most accidents I’ve seen happen because someone was indecisive about what they were doing. If you literally just go when you can and stay in the correct lane, as long as someone else doesn’t fuck it up for you, then it is a fairly easy to figure out.

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RitaPoole56 t1_it7d7ns wrote

Exactly what happened to me. Early winter evening, dark but lots of traffic. The car ahead surged ahead and as I looked left it seemed I had time to merge too. I hit the gas and never saw the woman ahead had changed her mind and didn’t go! I hit her rear bumper but as she didn’t move far I didn’t do much damage.

To make matters worse she hopped out of her car as the traffic behind us tried to get by us to the right! I tried to explain that we needed to pull over to the edge of the circle to let traffic flow but she thought I was going to bolt. English was not her first language and perhaps in China where she was from that’s a common tactic? (She was a UNH grad student?)

I was worried about my son in the back seat getting slammed into so I went around her and pulled out of the way. The cops came, essentially no damage and I never heard any more about it.

Like you said. Watch for your opening and be decisive. Too many shit drivers but it helps traffic flow … IF the drivers aren’t idiots.

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Sweaty-Algae-6811 t1_it4tuiq wrote

When did we stop calling it a rotary or maybe a circle?

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gravitybongresin t1_it51i4h wrote

Rotary is a Massachusetts term. That's always been the Portsmouth Traffic Circle. I think roundabout is British

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Mostly-cupcakes t1_it4zzz3 wrote

Depends where you’re from. They’re still traffic circles in my home state.

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Alauren87 t1_it5tpqh wrote

Yep. I live a mile down the road and take it daily. I see an accident at least three times a week

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Lostronaut_ t1_it78xvu wrote

People need to not be idiots when they see a big rig coming and try to cut them off. You will lose due to your ignorance so don’t try and beat us just to get stuck at the same traffic light.

Not only at the Portsmouth traffic circle but at all of them. Especially the small ones on Rt.10 or Rt.1

Don’t be another statistic your family and friends will miss you. And for the love of god don’t forget you have to MERGE when getting on the highway so yield to us.

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avakaine t1_ita2rjn wrote

I once almost rear-ended a teenager because he stopped mid circle (back when it was one lane) to wave in a big truck. Driver refused then eventually had to go when kid wasn't moving

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Lostronaut_ t1_itab469 wrote

It seems like that teenager should retake drivers ed. who stops in the middle of a round about to waive in a vehicle?

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Seahearn4 t1_itad6ig wrote

There was a time when some nearby states unwisely chose to change right-of-way rules rotaries/roundabouts/etc. They thought having traffic in the circle yield to incoming traffic would be better. They were wrong but a small percentage of people learned that way and haven't changed. It really sucks to end up behind these people. The worst part is they look just like the rest of us, so we can't know until it's too late.

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DegenGolfer t1_it4n4kn wrote

I hated it the first time, it’s fine now.

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Automatic-Raspberry3 t1_it5d3wp wrote

Portsmouth works better then the stupid tiny 2 lane ones the state keeps putting in. Obviously never driven a truck and trailer.

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finelineporcupine t1_it4bcpw wrote

Why?

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fjphil OP t1_it4bwwx wrote

Overly stressful, too many people not understanding how it operates and so many near misses from people that switch lanes in the middle of going around the circle. It's not bad at night, but especially during summer it's terrible.

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finelineporcupine t1_it4d87j wrote

The first is an issue with driver education imo.

Controversial opinion: I love roundabouts. They're far better than traffic lights for safety and do a good job at maintaining traffic levels compared to lights. My favorite is the safety part; can you imagine that "intersection" with the inevitable accidents when they can't pull off to the side?

I've been stuck several times on MA 60 going to Logan because the "summer folk" down south can't help but crash into one another. Trouble is, our small state can't ensure good driving, especially with the tourist economy, but I think it's better than the alternatives that spring to mind.

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71351 t1_it4mrj5 wrote

laughing in jersey (proper circle) voice.

Honestly NH circles suck ass. Simply not enough room to properly fit the concept but towns using over and over as a “solution”. Followed closely by new roads/old training methods.

Portsmouth is one of the larger “circles”. Keene circle is a death trap. Worst in state last I heard

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CheliceraeJones t1_it4yif2 wrote

I hate it too but that's because you coastal shirelings are some godawful drivers.

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PoorInCT t1_it81saf wrote

The big issue is having to know which lane to be in when you enter the circle. Its not something GPS, Maps, or Waze, or alot of Vehicle maps deal with (yet)

If you don't use the circle as a local, you are a risk.

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[deleted] t1_it912i2 wrote

There’s actually a better way, but a lot of people don’t know about it.

The state actually paid to install very large green signs all over the circle that explain which lane goes where.

They’re free to use, lighted at night, and don’t require a cell phone or GPS to use.

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PoorInCT t1_itex4jc wrote

People don't look at signs they watch the screen. That's the point of an in vehicle navigation system, as well as routing you around traffic, tell you how much over the speed limit you're going, where the cops are, whether there's animals on the road, potholes and objects on the road. You've heard of these things?

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yo_mama_5000 t1_it58vxh wrote

It ranks up there with the one in Concord, MA. You come off Route 2 onto that thing and you feel like the little ball on the roulette wheel.

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sailcliff t1_it78mk3 wrote

You can’t hit the roundabout diner. Awesome spot.

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Breadman69_420 t1_it95fsh wrote

I know this is a r/newhampshire but the one in the center of Amesbury sucks so bad. It’s more of a traffic triangle than a traffic circle…. And it’s filled with masshole drivers

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a1234321 t1_it45yj7 wrote

I do, too. The one in Lee is pretty awful, too.

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MartoufCarter t1_it4dbzm wrote

One of the worst. No one has a clue WTF they are supposed to do so they just go for it and hope for the best.

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eeveerose63 t1_it4e727 wrote

That's me doing that. Sorry! I hate the two lanes and I unless I'm only going 1/4 around, I screw it up.

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ObjectiveTapir t1_it4nhfb wrote

The new one off Exit 17 makes no sense! Why??? It somehow has left turn arrows as you approach…

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Dirtycoinpurse t1_itaavf6 wrote

Yeah I pissed someone off at this roundabout a few days ago and it was my fault. I’m from Jersey and can’t think of any roundabouts in state. Hit this one and the gps didn’t tell me which lane to be in, just to take the third exit. Well, I cut off someone going for the first exit and got him upset. My fault Dodge Challenger guy I am sorry.

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capttuna t1_it5jvzb wrote

It’s pretty easy I’ve never seen a problem at that one or any other really the fun part is when both lanes can exit

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Due_Panda9495 t1_it8xa9e wrote

My first almost car accident was in that circle. Fuck that circle

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smartest_kobold t1_it4d24e wrote

The one in Milford is an oval and there's parking on both sides and pedestrians hidden by parked cars.

−1

Stunning-Note t1_it4yl53 wrote

Do you mean in downtown Milford? That’s a downtown area, not a bunch of highways coming together.

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pachucatruth t1_it6qo65 wrote

I literally say this all the time!!!!!!!! Whenever I have to go through it I brace for impact like I’m driving into Boston. I feel like I always get honked at too - it’s horrible!

−1

TheMobyDicks t1_it7fsxz wrote

>I brace for impact like I’m driving into Boston

Saugus to the airport on a busy day. Like Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome.

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fjphil OP t1_it4cj47 wrote

Also it makes me dizzy

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Early_Jackfruit6577 t1_it5u1ae wrote

Move back to whatever liberal shithole you came from

−54

do_u_like_dudez t1_it6mkt0 wrote

Found the guy that stays in the right lane on 16 and then cuts left quick into the circle

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PtrWalnuts t1_it6rkq4 wrote

So now it's liberal to hate bad infrastructure? You are a very silly goose.

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[deleted] t1_it91dpp wrote

There’s literally nothing bad about the infrastructure.

I don’t know what this dudes issue it, but if you can’t figure out the Portsmouth circle you really should reconsider if it’s appropriate for you to posses a drivers license.

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PtrWalnuts t1_it9dga4 wrote

That's another thing I didn't know what the big deal was.

I've probably gone through it like a hundred times. I never had a real big issue.

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