The letter in the Dec. 28 Catonsville Times about traffic at the Old Frederick Road circle ("Too little speed and too little courtesy at Old Frederick circle,") indicates the confusion drivers have with traffic circles.

The signs say to yield to traffic in the circle. Unless I'm mistaken, that means always yielding to your left because that is the direction of the traffic flow.

When I approach the circle, I yield to my left and follow after the last car to my left or when an opening occurs to my left.

I pay no regard to how long the poor sap has been waiting on my right nor do I expect any cars on my left to care about my wait. I think that's how circles are supposed to work.

If, as the writer suggests, the courtesy should be the same as a four-way stop sign, I think the county would have installed four stop signs at the intersection.

Also, four-way stops yield to the right, which adds to the current confusion.

Maybe the county should have four signs there that read: "Always yield to traffic on your left" or simply "Yield to your left."

Still, I doubt the confusion will be eliminated any time soon.

The issue about the speed of approaching cars is a separate matter and certainly worthy of attention, especially since so many kids walk around that area.

If I'm mistaken about all this, I will happily change my driving habits.

In any case, the signs there should be better suited to a clueless citizenry of which I proudly include myself.

Patrick Holten

Catonsville