Roundabout confusion: Sign changes should help drivers

The recently completed roundabout at Continental Road and Camino del Sol may be natural for some drivers but it poses quite a learning curve for others.

Residents report confusion, driving errors and near-collisions in the short time the roundabout has been open.

Carole Shultz said she was driving west on Continental toward the roundabout about noon Nov. 3, when she found a woman coming at her in her lane.

“I don’t know how on earth she got on that road, I really don’t know,” she said. “It’s like she thought it was a two-lane road. She shocked me and I pulled over.... that kind of thing happens so fast.”

Even with three large black-and-white chevron arrow signs that read “one way” within the roundabout, one driver coming west from La Canada and entering the roundabout was easily confused.

She turned left into oncoming roundabout traffic instead of bearing right and nearly caused a head-on collision.

At the Nov. 10 Green Valley Community Coordinating Council Traffic and Arroyos meeting, Traffic Studies Manager Mo Farhat of the Pima County Department of Transportation said it’s important to pay careful attention and observe the “yield” and “one way” signs at the roundabout.

He said some drivers may not know what “yield” means.

A yield traffic sign means a driver must slow down and prepare to stop if necessary — usually while merging into traffic on another road — but needn’t stop if the way is clear.

Vehicles entering the roundabout from any direction must yield to traffic in the roundabout and wait until it is safe to enter.

Farhat said signage changes are being made to help make the roundabout easier to negotiate and safer for drivers.

Three black and white “one way” signs will be replaced with black and yellow signs and will be placed lower to be more in line with drivers’ eye levels. The changes are expected by about Nov. 25.

Contact Green Valley freelance reporter Ellen Sussman at ellen2414@cox.net.