Rules for Driving Roundabouts
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
RULES FOR DRIVING ROUNDABOUTS www.wisconsinroundabouts.gov General information for all roundabouts Steps for driving a roundabout: Roundabouts are becoming more common 1. Slow down. Obey traffic signs. in the U.S. because they provide safer and 2. Yield to pedestrians and bicyclists. more efficient traffic flow than standard 3. Yield to traffic on your left intersections. By keeping traffic moving one-way already in the roundabout. in a counterclockwise direction, there are fewer 4. Enter the roundabout when conflict points and traffic flows smoothly. there is a safe gap in traffic. Crash statistics show that roundabouts 5. Keep your speed low reduce fatal crashes about 90%, reduce within the roundabout. injury crashes about 75%, and reduce overall 6. As you approach your exit, crashes about 35%, when compared Draft 5 February 2, 2009 turn on your right turn signal. to other types of intersection control. 7. Yield to pedestrians and When driving a roundabout, the same bicycles as you exit. general rules apply as for maneuvering Emergency vehicles in the roundabout through any other type of intersection. P Always yield to emergency vehicles. Truck apron P If you have not entered the roundabout, pull Large vehicles need more space when driving over and allow emergency vehicles to pass. in a roundabout. A truck apron is a paved area P If you have entered the roundabout, on the inside of the roundabout for the rear wheels continue to your exit, then pull over of large trucks to use when turning, sometimes and allow emergency vehicles to pass. referred to as off-tracking. Truck aprons are P Avoid stopping in the roundabout. not to be used by cars, SUVs or pickup trucks. << Driving a one-lane roundabout Driving a one-lane roundabout This example shows the traffic movement patterns through Oak Street Pedestrians a one-lane roundabout. » Pedestrians at the curb side look left for oncoming traffic The one-lane roundabout before crossing is known as one of the safest Crosswalk: » Pedestrians within the Yield to pedestrians crosswalk island area and most efficient intersections. look right for oncoming traffic before crossing. Maple Avenue ONE WAY Maple Avenue t ruc k apron Bicycles Bicyclists can continue YIELD » through the roundabout YIELD taking the travel lane, or Traffic circulates » may exit the roadway ONE counterclockwise and use the crosswalk. WAY in a roundabout Oak Street Yield to all traffic before entering roundabout! Driving a roundabout with two or more lanes >>> Choose the proper lane before entering: As you get closer to the roundabout entrance, it is very important to observe the signs and arrows to determine which lane to use before entering a roundabout. Black and white signs on the side of the road and white arrows on the road will show the correct lane to use. In general, if you want to make a left turn, you should be in the left lane or other lanes that are signed and marked as left turn lanes. If you want to make a right turn, you should be in the right lane or other lanes that are signed and marked as right turn lanes. If you want to go straight, observe the signs and arrows to see what lane is correct. Left turns/u-turns: Going straight: Right turns: Large vehicles use left lane use right lane use right lane or left lane » Large vehicles need more » When approaching the » When approaching the space in a roundabout. roundabout, use the left » When approaching the roundabout, use the right » All drivers should be lane, or other lanes that roundabout, choose lane, or other lanes that cautious and avoid driving are signed and marked the correct lane for are signed and marked next to or passing large as a left turn lane. your desired exit. as a right turn lane. trucks while approaching » Yield to pedestrians » Yield to pedestrians » Yield to pedestrians and maneuvering in the crosswalk. in the crosswalk. in the crosswalk. through a roundabout. » Yield to all traffic on » Yield to all traffic on » Yield to all traffic on » A truck apron is a paved your left before entering your left before entering your left before entering area inside a roundabout. the roundabout. the roundabout. the roundabout. » It is for the rear wheels » Enter the roundabout » Enter the roundabout » Enter the roundabout of large trucks to use when there is a safe when there is a safe when there is a safe when turning. gap in traffic. gap in traffic. gap in traffic. » Trucks may cross into » Stay in your lane. » Stay in your lane. » Stay in your lane. other lanes or onto » Use your right turn signal » Use your right turn signal » Use your right turn signal the truck apron. to exit the roundabout. to exit the roundabout. to exit the roundabout. » Truck aprons are not » Yield to pedestrians in » Yield to pedestrians in » Yield to pedestrians in to be used by cars, the crosswalk at the exit. the crosswalk at the exit. the crosswalk at the exit. SUVs or pickup trucks. Lane choice is critical at roundabouts » Right lane is for right turns only. Crosswalk: Maple Avenue Pedestrians » Left lane is for Yield to pedestrians » Pedestrians at the left turns, u-turns, curb side look left or through traffic only. for oncoming traffic before crossing » Pedestrians within the crosswalk island area look right for oncoming » Right lane is for right Oak Street traffic before crossing. turns or through traffic only. » Left lane is for left turns, u-turns, or ONE WAY Oak Street through traffic only. Bicycles Bicyclists can continue tru ck a » through the roundabout pron » Right lane is taking the travel lane, or for right turns or » may exit the roadway YIELD through traffic. and use the crosswalk. YIELD Left turns/u-turns: use left lane » Left lane is for left ONE turns or u-turns only. WAY Going straight: follow the pavement Traffic circulates markings, arrows or signs counterclockwise in a roundabout Right turns: use right lane Black and white signs: » at the side Maple Avenue of the road Choose your lane and yield to all traffic in both lanes before entering roundabout!.