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A.10    ROUNDABOUTS

Roundabouts are best viewed as intersections, some small, some large, or as T-junctions with an island in the centre. The island may be small or large, or even shaped differently to round. 

	When a roundabout displays a give-way (yield) sign, as you approach it, give way to traffic on the roundabout, even though this traffic comes from your left! Otherwise, the give-way to the right rule applies, meaning you may enter the roundabout (with caution), but once entered, you must give-way to traffic on your right, vehicles entering the roundabout.  Roundabouts may be dual-laned, located on major arterial roads, as shown left, or un-laned in suburban back streets. Dual-lane roundabouts are hotspots for traffic accidents, caused by confused motorists turning incorrectly. The (five road) roundabout below shows how best to negotiate the sometimes complex situation. Following the paths marked in yellow. Two basic rules must be obeyed, where two or more lanes move though a roundabout:
1. Stay in your lane ... ... as you travel through the roundabout.  If there are two lanes on the approach, treat the roundabout as having two lanes right through. (On the photo here no lanes are marked, mostly there are white lines marked through the roundabout).		Image: Commuterpageblog.com
2. Never turn right from the left lane or left from the right lane! Exception: If white painted arrows indicate, you are allowed to do so (see also One-way street).

 

Problem: This vehicle intends to turn right at B. In error it follows the roundabout from A, cutting off the van, who wants to continue straight ahead. CRASH!  But how can the car turn right at point B, if turning and exiting the roundabout in left-hand lane?	Safe solution: Approach in left-hand lane, but exit into the right lane, as shown below. Give a right turn signal as you do, and move briskly. Impatient drivers from behind may force you to stay in the left-hand lane!
Never turn left right from the right-hand lane! Path A is dangerous, if the van continues!	If white directional arrows allow it, it's permissible to turn left from the right-hand lane. Such white directional arrows are shown on top of the picture.

 

As with intersections generally, approach a roundabout with caution, obey all give way rules and exit briskly. 

Some dual-lane roundabouts display a sign: 'Left lane must turn left'.  Obey the directional arrow or you may collided with a vehicle moving straight ahead (as in example above). 

Only proceed through a roundabout after a good view to the left is obtained. The decision to continue through (the road is clear) can only be made, after a clear view is obtained. A very slow speed may be necessary on the approach. 

Watch for traffic approaching fast, especially motorcyclists, who enter the roundabout at high speed - they may have a clear view to their left and not slow to a safe speed! 

Roundabouts are a very effective method of slowing traffic and moving it through crossroads with minimal delay.