how to ride a roundabout

benefits

Roundabouts offer many benefits for cities and drivers. According to the Federal Highway Administration and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the use of roundabouts reduces injury collisions by 75 percent and reduces fatalities in collisions by 90 percent. They also help reduce delays and improve traffic flow because drivers are not waiting at stop lights or stop signs.

yield to circulating vehicles

One primary rule for driving through roundabouts is that drivers approaching the roundabout must yield. As you approach a roundabout, yield to the cars that are already inside of the roundabout.

stay in lane

Once you enter the roundabout, stay in the correct lane. If you are turning right at the first exit, stay in the right lane. If you are going around the roundabout to other exits, stay in the left lane until your exit approaches. You can perform a U-turn in a roundabout by staying in the left lane until you exit at the location where you entered.

avoid stopping

As you approach the roundabout, yield and slow down, and enter at the first opportunity possible. One important rule once you have entered the roundabout is that you should not stop. Drivers approaching the roundabout must yield to you if you are already in the circle. Stopping in the circulation lane should not occur.

yield to pedestrians

Most roundabouts contain pedestrian crosswalks on all four entrances and exits. Pedestrians have the right to cross when needed, and cars must yield to them. Slow down and allow the pedestrian to cross.

turn signals

As you enter, exit, and change lanes in a roundabout, always use turn signals. This informs other drivers of your intentions and encourages a smoother flow of traffic. As you are driving through a roundabout, always watch other cars and the use of their turn signals to stay informed of their intentions.