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Roundabouts
Driving a Roundabout
Roundabouts are easy to drive. Just yield, look left, and turn right. Once you are in a roundabout, you have the right-of-way.
Key Points
- SLOW DOWN and yield to any pedestrians.
- Yield to the traffic in the roundabout; they have the right-of-way.
- Enter when traffic allows, then keep moving; you have the right-of-way.
- Drive counterclockwise to your exit point.
- Use your right turn blinker to indicate when you are exiting.
Approaching and Entering
- Slow down and yield to pedestrians when approaching a roundabout.
- Be prepared to stop.
- All traffic circulates counterclockwise, and circulating traffic has the right-of-way.
- Look to the left for traffic in the roundabout.
- Wait for a gap in the traffic, and enter when traffic permits.
- Once in the roundabout, you have the right-of-way, so keep moving.
Exiting the Roundabout
- Once you have entered the roundabout, drive counterclockwise to your exit point.
- Again, you have the right-of-way, so keep moving.
- As you approach your exit, use your right turn signal.
- Keep an eye out for pedestrians in the crosswalks, and be prepared to stop.
Emergency Vehicles
Do not enter the roundabout when emergency vehicles are approaching – pull to the right side. If you are in the roundabout, exit immediately, and pull to the right side. Do not stop in the roundabout.
Bicyclists
Bicyclists have a choice when they are approaching a roundabout. They can use the ramps provided at each approach to the roundabout; then they can go through the roundabout using the sidewalks and crosswalks as a pedestrian. Only confident riders should "claim a lane" and travel through the roundabout as a vehicle.
Pedestrians
Vehicles must yield to pedestrians. Pedestrians should use crosswalks and splitter islands to cross each lane of traffic. The pedestrian crossings are on the streets feeding into the roundabout; pedestrians do not cross to the center island.
Large Trucks
Large trucks and buses may drive on the raised center apron while going through a roundabout. The truck apron is raised about 3 inches to discourage cars from using it. Trucks must follow the same rules as other motorists for entering, driving, and exiting a roundabout.
Videos and Links to Additional Information
- Rules of the Roundabout video from the Federal Highway Administration
- Montana Department of Transportation information site on roundabouts
- Roundabout videos from the Montana Department of Transportation
- Watch a short video from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
- Federal Highway Administration information