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Roundabout User
Guide
We want everyone to feel confident, be secure, and to "keep in the loop" with their safe driving practices as they travel
modern roundabouts.
To help the public become more familiar
with how to drive a roundabout, we've created this user guide that shows the
various traffic patterns, rules, and general instructions that we hope everyone
will follow.
What is a modern
roundabout?
It is a one-way
circular intersection with yield control of all entering traffic. Vehicles
circulate counter-clockwise at speeds around 20 M.P.H. The lane use is very similar to a typical
four-way intersection except for a slight circular adjustment.
Seven rules for
safely driving roundabouts:
1. Slow down
2. Get in the correct
lane before entering the roundabout:
• Use the right lane
for turning right or going straight (same as a conventional intersection).
• Use the left lane
for going straight or turning left (same as a conventional intersection).
• Use the left lane
to make a U turn.
3. Look for and yield to pedestrians in the crosswalk
before entering the
roundabout.
4. Yield to all
circulating traffic when entering the roundabout. Even if there are two lanes in
the roundabout, yield to both.
5. Drive counter-clockwise,
following the one-way traffic pattern.
6. Do not change lanes within the roundabout.
7. Look for and yield to pedestrians in the crosswalk
upon exiting the roundabout.
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Typical
intersection compared to a modern roundabout
Why build a modern
roundabout instead of a typical intersection?
Modern roundabouts are safer than
traditional intersections, which have more conflict points and operate at higher
speeds.
Studies have shown that roundabouts
provide nearly an 80 percent reduction in injury accidents since the circular
layout dramatically reduces the likeliness of head-on or broadside collisions.
What are some of the
other benefits of modern roundabouts?
• Traffic from all directions is
slowed down to the same speed, giving motorists more time to judge and react to traffic.
• Shorter and better-planned crosswalks are located away from the busy
intersection.
• There is a reduction in pollution
and fuel use since there is less idle time for motorists.
• Slower speeds and fewer stops and
starts result in less traffic noise.
• There are no expensive traffic
signals to install or maintain.
Roundabout
Education Links | Roundabout
User Guide (PDF)
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