Roundabouts

Approaching the roundabout

When you approach the roundabout:

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

Driving through the roundabout

When you're in the roundabout:

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

Leaving the roundabout

To exit the roundabout:

1. Use your right-turn signal
2. 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 can't I see through the centre of a roundabout?

The County wants to 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.