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.