How to Drive in a Roundabout: Rules, Tips, and Best Practices
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Roundabouts have grown in popularity across the U.S., as they offer a safer and more efficient alternative to traditional intersections that use traffic lights or stop signs to regulate traffic flow. However, if you’ve never encountered a roundabout, understanding how to enter, circulate, and exit one helps keep you and others safe.
Let’s discuss how to drive in a roundabout, including the right-of-way rules, proper signaling, and more.
Differences Between Single-Lane and Multi-Lane Roundabouts
Before discussing how to properly drive in a roundabout, let’s look at how to drive in a double lane roundabout versus a single-lane roundabout.
Single-Lane Roundabouts
- Straightforward approach: A single-lane roundabout has only one lane of traffic that drivers merge into and exit from.
- Simple process: You slow down, watch for a gap in traffic, yield to vehicles already in the roundabout, and enter when safe.
- Easy exit: Signal and exit onto the road you desire. There is only one lane, so you never need to worry about which one to choose.
Multi-Lane Roundabouts
- Lane discipline is key: In multi-lane roundabouts, you must select the correct lane before entering.
- Lane choice before entry: As you approach the roundabout, look for road signs or pavement markings indicating which lane leads to which exit.
- Maneuvering in a double-lane roundabout: Remain in the lane you were in when you entered the roundabout until it’s time to exit.
Yielding the Right of Way: Who Goes First?
One of the most critical right-of-way rules in roundabouts is that drivers already in the roundabout have priority. So, if you’re waiting to enter the roundabout, you must yield to traffic already inside the roundabout.
Common rules of thumb when dealing with the right of way on a roundabout are never forcing your way in and not stopping inside the roundabout to let others enter. You also want to pay close attention to pedestrians, as it’s easy to laser focus on traffic and forget about people crossing the street.
Signaling Your Intentions: When and How To Signal
Signaling is crucial when turning, merging, or changing lanes. It’s even more critical in a roundabout, as multiple vehicles often attempt to navigate in a tight area. Knowing each other’s intentions is key to everyone’s safety.
When Does a Driver Need To Signal in a Roundabout?
- Approach: You typically don’t need to signal when approaching a roundabout unless local laws specifically state you must or if you plan to take the very first exit.
- While circulating: You should not keep your turn signal on while traveling around the roundabout, as this may lead other drivers to think you’re about to exit, causing confusion.
- Exiting: The key time to use your turn signal is right before your exit to let other drivers know you’re leaving the roundabout.
Single-Lane Roundabout Signaling
A single-lane roundabout involves no lane changing, so drivers cannot be confused about whether you’re changing lanes or exiting the roundabout. Engage your turn signal just before your exit and after you pass the last exit before yours.
Multi-Lane Roundabout Signaling
- Changing lanes: Signaling is more nuanced in a multi-lane roundabout. If you must change lanes inside the roundabout, always signal just as you would before changing lanes on a straight roadway.
- Exiting: Signal your exit in advance, but only after you’ve passed the prior exit to avoid confusing other drivers.
Comparison of Roundabouts vs. Traditional Traffic Circles
It’s easy to confuse modern roundabouts with older traffic circles. Let’s review some key differences:
- Size and speed: Modern roundabouts are usually smaller, leading to slower speeds. Traffic circles are generally larger and allow higher speeds.
- Yield rules: Vehicles entering a modern roundabout yield to vehicles already there. Older traffic circles often rely on traffic signals to help determine right-of-way rules.
- Functionality: Modern roundabouts are traffic-flow devices designed to safely keep traffic flowing and reduce collisions and congestion, whereas traffic circles are often for aesthetic appeal.
Common Mistakes Drivers Make in Roundabouts
Even drivers who know how to drive in a roundabout make mistakes. Some common roundabout errors include:
- Failing to yield properly
- Entering the wrong lane or switching lanes without signaling
- Stopping in the roundabout
- Signaling incorrectly
How Roundabouts Improve Road Safety
Roundabouts significantly reduce the likelihood of severe crashes by eliminating left turns against oncoming traffic, a common scenario for high-speed collisions. Roundabouts also lower he average vehicle speed and promote a continuous but cautious traffic flow.
This translates to an 82% reduction in crashes resulting in injury or death compared to two-way-stop intersections and a 78% reduction compared to signalled intersections.
Fewer crashes means fewer auto insurance claims, which can impact insurance rates in areas with heavy roundabout use. To save even more on car insurance, EverQuote’s online auto insurance quote tool lets you compare multiple insurance quotes simultaneously for the best price.