Roundabouts

We are working hard to come up with innovative solutions to increased traffic demands in the County of Brant. One of these solutions is the introduction of roundabouts in certain areas. Roundabouts have a number of benefits over traditional intersections, including:

Safety: lower speeds and fewer points of conflict between vehicles reduces the potential for serious crashes and injury
Lower speeds: unlike at a green light at an intersection, vehicles need to slow down to use a roundabout, reducing the likelihood of a serious crash
Higher capacity: a high volume of vehicles turning left is handled better by a roundabout than by a left-turn signal at a traditional intersection
Fewer stops and shorter delays: yielding at the entry of a roundabout takes less time than waiting for a green light at an intersection or for a gap in traffic at a stop sign
Less idling and air pollution: fewer delays reduces fuel consumption and improves air quality by reducing emissions
Lower maintenance costs: roundabouts eliminate maintenance and electricity costs associated with traffic signals
Aesthetically pleasing: there is an opportunity for landscaping within the central island of a roundabout

With the help of the Ministry of Transportation, we've put a list together of some helpful tips to help get you moving smoothly through a roundabout.*

Approaching the roundabout

When you approach the roundabout:

Slow down
Keep to the right of the splitter island
Use the correct lane for your intended destination
Pay special attention to pedestrians who may be crossing the roadway
Yield to cyclists and any traffic already driving through the roundabout
Stop if there are vehicles already inside the roundabout and the way is not clear
Enter when there is a safe gap in traffic

Driving in the roundabout

When you're in the roundabout:

Keep to the right of the centre island and drive in a counter-clockwise direction until you reach your exit
Don't pass large vehicles or change lanes
Don't stop inside the roundabout, except to avoid a collision

Leaving the roundabout

To exit the roundabout:

Use your right-turn signal
If you miss your exit, continue around the roundabout again and then exit

Emergency vehicles

If you are still outside the roundabout: Pull over to the right, if you can do so safely. Let the emergency vehicle pass you before you enter.

If you are inside the roundabout already: Drive around to your intended exit. Leave the roundabout completely before you pull over to the right. Then let the emergency vehicle pass you.

Large vehicles

Large vehicles may need to use more than one lane when they enter, drive through and exit a roundabout. Within the roundabout, they may also need to use the truck apron. Give large vehicles plenty of room to navigate.

Pedestrians

Roundabouts are generally safer for pedestrians than traditional intersections. Follow these tips to cross a roundabout safely:

Cross the roads that lead into the roundabout one at a time. Never cross a roundabout by walking over the central island.
Wait for a gap in traffic. Cross only when it is safe.

Visually impaired pedestrians

There is no traffic signal to control the traffic moving through a roundabout. This can make it hard to spot gaps in the traffic where you can cross safely. If you can, ask someone to help you.

Cyclists

If you're an experienced cyclist, you can move through the roundabout the same way you would in a vehicle:

Merge into the centre of the vehicle lane before the bike lane or shoulder ends
Stay in the middle of the lane to avoid collisions with other vehicles exiting to the right

New cyclists should get off their bicycles and cross the roundabout as pedestrians.

Why is there a fence on the centre island of the Roundabout on Rest Acres Road?

A fence was installed on the centre island of the roundabout to help limit visibility across the middle of the roundabout. This practice is normally achieved with landscaping and may include planting trees and bushes on the centre island. Landscaping on the centre island encourages motorists and cyclists to focus on the flow of traffic to their left and helps to slow traffic in general. Landscaping on the centre island is expected to be completed in 2019.

*Information provided by the Ministry of Transportation; http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/ontario-511/roundabouts.shtml

For a short video about Roundabouts, see below:

Click bottom right of video to expand screen.