Roundabouts

Roundabouts a proven to reduce the severity of accidents at intersections but require drivers to follow traffic rules in order to reduce the number of accidents. They improve road saety and move traffic more efficiently. After driving through one today, I thought a brief review of the rules would be in order. I took these from the Region of Waterloo's website.

Driver Tips

• Think ahead and look ahead.
• Pedestrians go first. When entering or exiting the roundabout, drivers should yield the crosswalk to pedestrians.
• Don't pass a vehicle that is slowing down as it approaches a crosswalk. There may be a pedestrian in the crosswalk.
• Don't block the crosswalk.
• If you think you don't have enough time to watch for pedestrians, slow down. Don't accelerate until you are past the crosswalk at your exit.

How do I signal at a roundabout?

• When taking the first exit (turning right):
• Signal right and approach in the right-hand lane.
• Keep to the right in the roundabout and continue signalling right to leave.
• When going straight through:
  • Select the appropriate lane on approach to and in the roundabout.
  • Stay in this lane until you need to exit the roundabout.
  • Signal right after you have passed the exit before the one you want. Exit directly from the lane in which you are travelling.
• When taking the last exit (to go left) or going full circle (u-turn):
  • Signal left and approach in the left-hand lane.
  • Keep to the left in the roundabout and signal as soon as you have passed the exit before the one you want. Exit directly from the lane in which you are travelling.

Pedestrian Tips

Getting Started

• Step up to the curb of the marked pedestrian crossing, extend your arm and point your finger across the crosswalk.
• Do not start to cross if a driver cannot safely stop for you.
• Look and listen for a safe gap in the traffic flow before crossing.
• As you cross, keep pointing until you reach the far side of the road.
• Keep watching all the way across. As you cross a multi-lane roundabout, watch for a driver coming in the next lane. Make sure that the driver sees you.
• Do NOT cut across the middle of the roundabout.
• Use the splitter island. This will let you cross one direction of traffic at a time. Wait on the splitter island if needed until there is a gap in the traffic flow.

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