Roundabouts
Roundabouts
What is a roundabout?
A roundabout is an alternate form of intersection traffic control that promotes safe and efficient traffic flow. Roundabouts have the potential to reduce collisions, traffic delays and fuel consumption resulting in improved air quality through reduced vehicle emissions.
Safety: Roads entering a roundabout are gently curved to direct drivers into the intersection and help them travel counter-clockwise around the roundabout. The curved roadway, lower speeds and one-way travel around the roundabout eliminate the possibility for T-bone and head-on collisions.
Environment: The reduced stopping, idling, accelerating and decelerating at roundabouts creates lower emissions compared to traffic signals.
Efficiency: Reducing the number of cars having to stop at an intersection, increases the efficiency of the intersection compared to stop signs and traffic signals.
How to drive a single lane roundabout
Curves on the approach to roundabouts required all vehicles to slow down before entering. Traffic entering a roundabout must yield to circulating traffic. Once in the roundabout, drivers should not need to stop and can proceed to their exit.
If you are turning right at the first exit, signal as you enter the roundabout. If you are using the roundabout to go straight through the intersection or to turn left, enter the roundabout and signal "right" after you have passed the exit before the one you want to use.
Tips for safely navigating a single lane roundabout:
- Slow down
- Yield to traffic in the roundabout
- Give large vehicles extra space
- Obey one way signs
- Keep right when entering the intersection
- Signal your exit
- Never pass another vehicle while in the roundabout
Roundabout signs
You should become familiar with the following signs associated with a single lane roundabout.
This project is paid for in part by the Government of Canada's Community Adjustment Fund.
Single-lane roundabout at the intersection of Centennial & Venture Drive.