About Roundabouts
Modern roundabouts are designed to maximize safety for drivers, pedestrians and bicyclists, without the use of traffic signals. These roundabouts can have either a single lane of traffic, or multiple lanes to maintain a consistent flow of traffic. Multi-lane roundabouts are designated by signs and pavement markings that inform drivers which lane to choose.
Triangular islands between directions of traffic give pedestrians a safe place to wait when crossing only one direction at a time. Crosswalks are set farther back, allowing drivers more time to react to pedestrians before merging in or out of the roundabout.
Yield signs caution drivers to slow and give right-of-way to vehicles already in the roundabout. If there is no traffic in the roundabout, vehicles may proceed without yielding.
The truck apron is the raised section of concrete around the central island that acts as an extra lane for large vehicles. The back wheels of the oversize vehicle can ride up on the concrete so the truck can easily complete the turn.
There are a few key things to remember when driving roundabouts:
- Yield to drivers already in the roundabouts
- Stay in your lane; do not change lanes
- Do not stop in the roundabout
- Avoid driving next to large trucks