Roundabouts: How To Properly Drive Through One

Roundabouts are growing in popularity in the United States. Have you ever driven through a roundabout? Depending on where you live, you may or may not have. They are popular in cities wanting to increase the flow of traffic and help prevent backups at popular intersections. For new roundabout drivers, it can be a scary task to take on, but we are going to share some rules to help you navigate a roundabout properly.

What Is A Roundabout?

For those not familiar with roundabouts, it is a type of intersection that features a central island. Roundabouts do not have traffic lights. Drivers enter the roundabout, drive counter-clockwise and then exit at the appropriate lane. Most roundabouts have one or two lanes for drivers.

Roundabouts are there to help improve traffic capacity, as studies by the Federal Highway Administration show an improvement of 30 to 50%. Roundabouts also have helped reduce overall collisions by 37%, injury collisions by 75%, fatality collisions by 90% and pedestrian collisions by 40%. They also help reduce maintenance costs for cities, as there are no traffic lights to power or maintain.

How to Properly Drive Through Roundabouts

If you have not experienced driving through a roundabout, then they can seem very intimidating at first. Depending on where you live, most driving lessons will include learning how to drive through a roundabout. Here are the basic rules to follow when navigating a roundabout:

• Yield to vehicles already in the circle
• Before entering the roundabout, choose the right lane
• While in the roundabout, do not change lanes
• Do not stop in the roundabout
• Do not drive next to larger vehicles
• Slow down

Types of Roundabouts

When it comes to roundabouts, you will find two types of roundabout signs: the single-lane roundabout and the multi-lane roundabout.

Single-Lane Roundabout

For the single-lane roundabout sign, it typically has three arrows in a circle. To enter a single-lane roundabout, you would slow down near the yield line. Look to your left. If there are any vehicles already in the circle, yield to them. Check for pedestrians and bicycles. If it is safe, enter the circle. If there are no vehicles in the roundabout, you may enter the circle without stopping.

Multi-Lane Roundabout

For the multi-lane roundabout sign, it is much more complex. It shows lane indicators branching off in different directions. This is to show the different ways you can go in each lane. To enter a multi-lane roundabout, you are basically following the same steps needed for the single-lane roundabout. The only difference is you need to choose a lane before entering the circle.

Other Roundabout Rules

Some other things to keep in mind when using a roundabout. Larger vehicles, like trucks and buses, may need to use two lanes to make their turn in a roundabout. Because of that, avoid driving next to them in a roundabout. It is always best to yield to them.

While it might be tempting to drive through an empty roundabout at full speed, you must remember to slow down. You are driving in a sharp circle, so play it safe and slow down.

Roundabouts can be a scary concept for people who have never driven in one. However, it seems that approval rates double once drivers get used to them. Practice makes perfect, so get your practice by booking a driving lesson today with us!

As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to our friendly support staff. If you want to start your driver's training journey with Coastline Academy, make sure to sign up for Drivers Ed and book your driving lesson today.