Comments

You must log in or register to comment.

a1234321 t1_it45yj7 wrote

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

4

fjphil OP t1_it4bwwx wrote

Replying to finelineporcupine (#157,660)

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.

6

fjphil OP t1_it4cj47 wrote

Also it makes me dizzy

−4

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

finelineporcupine t1_it4d87j wrote

Replying to fjphil (#157,709)

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.

12

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.

17

stevo2882 t1_it4h5ty wrote

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

12

RelationshipJust9556 t1_it4k32x wrote

Replying to Hextall2727 (#157,727)

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

6

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.

19

71351 t1_it4mrj5 wrote

Replying to fjphil (#157,709)

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

3

DegenGolfer t1_it4n4kn wrote

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

7

ObjectiveTapir t1_it4nhfb wrote

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

3

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.

45

FTheOldWest t1_it4r9vn wrote

I hate all roundabouts equally

−10

Sweaty-Algae-6811 t1_it4tuiq wrote

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

9

CheliceraeJones t1_it4yif2 wrote

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

6

mastadonmon t1_it53fkn wrote

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

11

wojtekthesoldierbear t1_it54zh2 wrote

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

45

LittleChocha t1_it557c9 wrote

Replying to mastadonmon (#159,611)

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)

−2

Few-Cable5130 t1_it58hk4 wrote

Replying to wojtekthesoldierbear (#159,715)

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?

25

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.

5

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.

7

astrochellie1800 t1_it5gfig wrote

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

19

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

12

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

1

averageduder t1_it5m3ul wrote

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

32

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

9

fjphil OP t1_it5vcuf wrote

Replying to skankersores (#160,683)

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.

8

FaustusC t1_it69v2e wrote

Replying to averageduder (#161,073)

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.

7

tissuefondler t1_it6mhyq wrote

Replying to stevo2882 (#158,057)

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.

3

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.

27

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

Cast__Away t1_it6usub wrote

Replying to wojtekthesoldierbear (#159,715)

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.

6

Mr-_-Soandso t1_it6wn1b wrote

Replying to DadIsPunny (#163,697)

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.

3

DadIsPunny t1_it6yfww wrote

Replying to Mr-_-Soandso (#163,755)

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.

2

She_W0lfe t1_it6z2re wrote

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

17

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.

11

sailcliff t1_it78mk3 wrote

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

5

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.

8

RitaPoole56 t1_it7d7ns wrote

Replying to bizmike88 (#164,468)

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.

3

nullcompany t1_it7i5fo wrote

Replying to MartoufCarter (#157,806)

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

2

stevo2882 t1_it7na4t wrote

Replying to tissuefondler (#163,143)

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.

1

HazardousWeather t1_it7x7k5 wrote

Replying to Omelettedufromage14 (#158,036)

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.

2

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.

6

Due_Panda9495 t1_it8xa9e wrote

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

1

[deleted] t1_it912i2 wrote

Replying to PoorInCT (#167,451)

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.

11

[deleted] t1_it91dpp wrote

Replying to PtrWalnuts (#163,429)

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.

2

She_W0lfe t1_it94jzq wrote

Replying to [deleted] (#170,510)

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.

1

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

5

LittleChocha t1_it9eos1 wrote

Replying to williswillardthe3rd (#164,144)

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

0

avakaine t1_ita2rjn wrote

Replying to Lostronaut_ (#164,757)

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

1

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.

2

Seahearn4 t1_itad6ig wrote

Replying to Lostronaut_ (#174,008)

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.

1

PoorInCT t1_itex4jc wrote

Replying to [deleted] (#170,500)

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?

2