I’ve long thought that many people don’t know what the word “yield” means and that this explains why they blow through or speed up at YIELD signs on highway ramps and at rotaries. In Wellesley in particular, “yield” might be better known for its meaning in economics.
Massachusetts driving rules specify that “When you see a YIELD sign, slow down and be prepared to stop. Let vehicles, bicyclists, and pedestrians go before you proceed. You must come to a complete stop if traffic conditions require it.”
That’s clear. Though I still think Australia and other countries have it right with their “Give way” signs.
Adding to the confusion now is this digital sign seen Thursday night at the mesmerizing orange-ringed rotary being redesigned on Great Plain Avenue in Wellesley.
The digital sign backs up and seems to overrule a smaller YIELD sign, which displays the correct spelling of “yield.” The easier-to-see digital sign misspells the word as YEILD in warning drivers how to negotiate the rotary. Language teachers could be seen swerving left and right last night as they approached the rotary, according to our intelligence.
Because we of course never make typos on The Swellesley Report, we’re allowed to poke fun at this one, as we’ve done over the years (recall 2010’s Post Office typo of “Wellesly”).
Anyway, don’t forget to give way the next time you drive or cycle through that rotary.
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Thank you Swellesley Report supporters & on to Year Sweet 16
Not to mention that intersection is now a roundabout, not a rotary!
https://www.mass.gov/info-details/what-are-roundabouts
Good point Eric
If they had asked about the difference between roundabout and rotary in the license exam I wouldn’t have passed.
The rotary is awful. Very confusing with such large sidewalks. When u go around , the road is so small and the sidewalks are right on top of you. Don’t see how this design is better. Terrible
Would it be impolite to characterize the decision to shrink that whatever we call it as boneheaded? Of course it may be nice to have a new sidewalk for walking to the dump.
Giggle
Lol
More curbside, less roadway? My impression is that the objective is to slow down vehicle traffic and make the place safer.
It’s so easy… just remember: i before e
Except after c
Or when sounded like “a”
As in “neighbor and weigh”
Except ancient, being, caffeine, concierge, conscience, counterfeit, deficient, deice, deicide, deictic, deific, deification, deify, deign, deism, deity, efficient, eiderdown, Einstein, either, feisty, financier, foreign, forfeit, Geiger, heifer, height, heirloom, heist, leisure, neither, obeisant, peignoir, prescient, protein, reimburse, science, seigneur, seismic, seize, sleight, species, weiner, weir, and weird.
This is the kind of hard hitting news and content I crave
I love the new rotary or roundabout! And so did my European visitors. It’s so much like in other places!
Those high granite curbs are going to cause some serious damage. Should of done a low pitched curb for all the bad yields we are witnessing everyday. No room at all for error.