I don’t know if you remember when roundabouts first came to be. According to Wikipedia, the very first was in 1907. I don’t remember back that far, but I do remember that when one arrived in the small town I grew up in, people were surprised and not necessarily happy about it. What was even more confusing, apparently, was the etiquette one should use when using a roundabout.

Complaints About Roundabouts

Fast forward many years and they are much more commonplace. In fact, my route from the highway to my current home has four to maneuver. They are a pain but do work the way they should-most of the time. It’s common to see complaints on our town’s community/group boards of people not using them well or not making the best choices. We’ve all experienced people zipping around them without looking or yielding. Sometimes large trucks are a hassle (and slow tractors). And within the cars, I’ve literally seen people become nervous when approaching a roundabout- like it’s a thousand feet rope bridge strung over a cavern that they must tiptoe over without shoes. Some approach the pause area cautiously and then look back-and-forth, back-and-forth.

Yes, both directions.

Julie Bonn Blank roundabout rumpusSignal When Exiting Roundabout

It never dawned on me to use a turn signal when exiting a roundabout until I saw the suggestion on our community Facebook board. It made a lot of sense and it seemed to me, might help address the main issues. Now, I’m not recommending that you rely on someone else’s turn signal 100% of the time. I suspect we’ve all had that experience and were sorry that we did. But when someone signals within a roundabout that they are exiting and THEN also turn their wheels that way, it appears pretty safe to assume their exit.

I like to lead by example and about twenty percent of the time, it’s made an impact. I’ve had several cases where the car in front of me or behind me does not signal at first even though they are taking the same turn off that I am. But I DID signal and then one of them (and one time both of them) began signaling for future roundabout turnoffs.

John 13:15-16

In John 13:15-16, our humble Lord Jesus washed the feet of his disciples. He served them by this act of hospitality and humility. He told them, “I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.”

There are many more examples of leading by example in the Bible. Here is an example of a faith so well-lived that words were not always necessary. “Paul knew of a church that set a wonderful example for the other churches when he was writing about the Thessalonians ‘And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit, so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. For not only has the word of the Lord sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone forth everywhere so that we need not say anything.’ (1 Thess 1:6-8)”

Am I being the best example outside of the roundabouts? To my children, family, and even to my neighbors? I think I could do better at this. What about you?

In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:16

Whatever you have learned or received or heard from Me, or seen in Me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:9

 

By Published On: February 4th, 2021Categories: Devotionals2 Comments on The Roundabout Rumpus

2 Comments

  1. Gary and MaryAnn February 13, 2021 at 10:11 pm - Reply

    We really like round-abouts ……. Merry Christmas from Aunt Mary Ann & Uncle Gary

  2. Nunya February 13, 2021 at 10:13 pm - Reply

    Seriously? Bible quotes to explain why you signal to exit a roundabout. Jesus isn’t a hammer for every nail. Matthew 6…

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