Roundabouts

A roundabout is a circular intersection engineered to maximize safety and reduce traffic congestion. Vehicles travel counter-clockwise around a raised center island with entering traffic yielding the right-of-way to circulating traffic. Slow speeds aid in the smooth movement of vehicles through the roundabout.

Benefits of roundabouts

  • Optimized traffic flow
  • Slower vehicle speeds
  • Improved aesthetics
  • Improved safety for cyclist and pedestrians
  • Reduced greenhouse gas emissions

Tips for drivers

Approaching a roundabout

  • Slow down enough that you can stop at the yield sign if necessary.
  • Yield to all pedestrians at each approach of the roundabout. If there is a clearly marked pedestrian crosswalk, it will be located in advance of the yield line. 
  • Do not block the pedestrian crossings.


Entering a roundabout

Yield to traffic already inside the roundabout (including cyclists). They have the right-of-way.


Inside the roundabout

  • Drive counter-clockwise.
  • Do not stop, except to avoid a collision or to yield to the crosswalk. You have the right-of-way over entering traffic.
  • Continue until you reach your exit.


Dealing with emergency vehicles

  • Do not enter a roundabout with an emergency vehicle behind you. Pull over to the right and wait until the emergency vehicle has passed.
  • Do not stop inside the roundabout; you may block the emergency vehicle.
  • Exit roundabout at your exit and drive past the traffic island before pulling over.

Tips for pedestrians

  • Pedestrian crosswalks are clearly marked and located before the traffic yield line. Only at these marked locations.
  • Do not cross to the center island.
  • Wait to cross until there is a big enough gap in traffic or all approaching vehicles are stopped.