Outer circle and inner circle? The roundabout is not clear for road fans: such as all drivers in Hong Kong playing Black Magic

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Written by: Chen Jiahui

2021-04-02 11:00

Last update date: 2021-04-02 11:00

When it comes to roundabouts, the driver feels all kinds of feelings in his heart, and his mind flashes through a certain thrilling or "dry bottom" experience.

For passengers, traffic jams at roundabouts are also commonplace.

Why is there a roundabout in Hong Kong?

Why is it prone to accidents and frequent traffic jams?

What can be improved?

"Hong Kong 01" interviewed traffic engineers and road research enthusiasts, trying to interpret the roundabouts in the city in terms of traffic planning, urban development, and local road user education.

(Series Three of Three)

Outer ring or inner ring?

This problem can often cause "tearing" between drivers.

In fact, the Transport Department’s guidelines state that whether it is a traditional roundabout or a new type of spiral, the way is the same.

However, in the opinion of Qiu Yizhang, the president of the Road Research Society, the "perfect" roundabout with two lanes, a perfect circle, and four exits was guided by the Transport Department. However, in Hong Kong, there are many irregular roundabouts. "Even if you live in The Blue Book ("Road User Code"), don’t know what to do."

But the inner circle of the rule-abiding line "doesn't count"?

From time to time, people can be seen on the Internet denouncing the "outer circle L", referring to some drivers who are reluctant to enter the inner circle no matter which exit they go to. This causes the traffic to concentrate on the outer circle, slowing down the speed, and causing The road is chaotic.

Is the driver not responsible for the chaos in the roundabout?

Qiu Yizhang disagreed, "You can't blame the driver, the Transport Department has a lot of responsibilities."

Related news: Difficult to access roundabouts, frequent traffic accidents in Sai Kung last year, breakdown of the reasons for the most accidents by traffic engineers

The Transport Department’s guidelines state that whether it is a traditional roundabout or a new spiral, the way to go is the same: turn left and go left, turn right and go right, and go straight to both sides.

However, online discussions often believe that when drivers are walking on the road, they will find that there is not necessarily a "number" in the inner circle of the old roundabout. Although the method is correct, the line must be cut when driving out of the roundabout, in case of a collision. There may also be responsibilities.

The old and new roundabouts have coexisted for many years

Wouldn't the problem be solved by replacing all the old-style roundabouts with new-style spirals?

In fact, the government began to introduce the full name "Spiral Roundabout" in 2004, and it has not been able to completely replace the old roundabout for more than a decade.

According to data from the Highways Department, there are more than 300 roundabouts in Hong Kong, but only 20 have been converted into spirals.

Qiu Yizhang believes that the spiral has more advantages, not only can make good use of two traffic lanes, instead of "blocking the outer ring", and it is convenient for the driver to choose the lane in advance.

However, he estimated that the spiral will not be able to completely replace the old roundabout in the short term, because of the actual road restrictions, "the one that hasn't turned is unable to turn."

Related news: Roundabout = big traffic jam?

Road Research Agency: The mistake is that urban planning is most suitable for this type of place.

The road user code is blank for more than ten years

Qiu also pointed out that many drivers do not know how to use the roundabout. This is also due to the "blank" in the interpretation and publicity of the Transport Department for many years.

He said that the Transport Department pointed out that the new type of spiral was introduced in 2004, but the "Road User Code" was used for 20 years from the beginning of 2000 and was only updated last year. The method of using the spiral was not added to the manual until last year. In other words, there are 15 years of "blank". In these years, those who learn to drive may not be able to master how to use the spiral, which is very unsatisfactory.

The reason why there are frequent collisions at roundabouts is mainly due to the different rules that everyone recognizes.

In the latest version of the "Code", the method of using the spiral is finally added, but in Qiu Yizhang's view, the two-lane, round roundabout in the Transport Department's guidelines is perfect. In reality, Hong Kong is due to planning and environmental constraints. There are elliptical, three-lane, and even single-lane (two-lane) roundabouts.

He also personally tested and followed the instructions to drive into the inner circle. When he reached the exit, he found that there was a single white line on the ground and a solid line on his own side, that is, he could not cut the line out of the roundabout, and he did not work in the spiral.

Qiu personally tested and drove into the inner circle according to the instructions. When he reached the exit, he found that there was a single white line on the ground and a solid line on his own side.

(Google Images)

Like all drivers in Hong Kong playing Black Magic

Qiu said that the use of roundabouts is like a consensus that all drivers in Hong Kong have explored together. It is a consensus reached after "the whole Hong Kong has hit a dozen or twenty cars". It is like playing "Black Magic". I didn't know the game when I first joined. The only rule is "estimate."

Even if I look at the blue book, I don't know what to do.

What's more, only the Yau Tong route will pass the roundabout in the road test examination rooms in Hong Kong.

Qiu said: "A prospective driver can only talk on paper and find out for himself."

Roundabout = big traffic jam?

Road Research Agency: The mistake is that urban planning is most suitable for this type of place.

Roundabouts are difficult to get in and out, traffic accidents are frequent, Sai Kung has the most accidents last year

Outer circle and inner circle?

The roundabout is not clear for road fans: such as all drivers in Hong Kong playing Black Magic

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