Traffic Circles or Roundabouts are becoming increasingly common in our area. While they are designed to improve traffic flow and increase safety, the American public is not familiar with them which can cause serious accidents and injuries, especially for pedestrians or cyclists. In fact, where Roundabouts have been used in Europe for several decades, they have been found to be one of the unfriendly features on the public roads for pedestrians and cyclists. In Europe, the evidence suggests that as many as 20% of all cycle crashes occur at roundabouts and roundabouts are 4 - 8 times more dangerous for cyclists then traffic signal controlled junctions. Studies have also shown that unfamiliarity with Roundabouts can actually increase the incidence of accidents at an intersection.
Since Roundabouts seem to be the wave of the future in Michigan, the General Rules for using a modern roundabout are found below:
Making a through movement at a multi-lane roundabout
- Find street and direction in which you wish to go on roundabout signs located before intersection.
- In the case of a roundabout, either lane that enters the roundabout can be used to go straight through the intersection.
- As you approach the roundabout, look ahead to see any pedestrians and bicyclists that might be entering the intersection and yield to them.
- Yield to oncoming traffic at the yield line.
When sufficient space and time to enter traffic occur, enter the roundabout.
- Maintain your path upon entering until you come to the desired exit. If you enter from the left lane you should proceed to the inside path (left side) of the circulatory roadway. If you enter from the right lane you should proceed to the outside path (right side) of the circulatory roadway.
- Use your right turn signal to let other drivers, bicyclists, and pedestrians know that you are exiting the roundabout at the next exit as soon as you pass the exit prior to the desired exit.
- You should maintain your path through the exiting maneuver. If you exit from the outside path (right side) of the circulatory roadway you should proceed to the right (outside) exit lane. If you exit from the inside path (left side) of the circulatory roadway you should proceed to the left (inside) exit lane. When exiting from the inside path, watch for vehicles on the outside path that may continue to circulate around the roundabout.
- As you exit the roundabout, look ahead to see any pedestrians and bicyclists that might be entering the intersection and yield to them.
Making a right turn movement at a multi-lane roundabout
- Find street and direction in which you wish to go on roundabout signs located before intersection.
- When approaching a multilane roundabout you should be in the right-hand lane to make a right-hand turn.
- As you approach the roundabout, look ahead to see any pedestrians and bicyclists that might be entering the intersection and yield to them.
- Yield to all circulating traffic at the yield line.
- Use your right turn signal to let other drivers, bicyclists, and pedestrians know that you are exiting the roundabout at the next exit.
- When sufficient space and time to enter traffic occurs, enter the roundabout.
- Stay to the right and proceed immediately out of the roundabout and into a successful right-hand turn.
- As you exit the roundabout, look ahead to see any pedestrians and bicyclists that might be entering the intersection and yield to them.
- This type of right-hand turn can be made from every approach to the roundabout.
Making a left turn movement at a multi-lane roundabout
- Find street and direction in which you wish to go on roundabout signs before intersection.
- When approaching the roundabout, you should be in the left-hand lane to make a left-hand turn.
- As you approach the roundabout, look ahead to see any pedestrians and bicyclists that might be entering the intersection and yield to them.
- Yield to oncoming traffic at the yield line.
- When sufficient space and time to enter traffic occur, enter the roundabout. You should enter to the inside path (left side) of the circulatory roadway.
- Use your right turn signal to let other drivers, bicyclists, and pedestrians know that you are exiting the roundabout at the next exit as soon as you pass the exit prior to the desired exit.
- Stay to the left, the inside path, until you come to the desired exit.
- You will now proceed from the inside path (left side) of the circulatory roadway, across the outside path (right side), and exit the roundabout in the inside (left) exit lane. When exiting from the inside path, watch for vehicles on the outside path that may continue to circulate around the roundabout.
- As you exit the roundabout, look ahead to see any pedestrians and bicyclists that might be entering the intersection and yield to them.
General rules for bicycle use of the modern roundabout
- If you are comfortable riding in traffic, take the lane and circulate like you are a vehicle, making sure you yield to traffic in the circle when entering.
- Ride at the speed of the circular roadway to discourage cars from passing you.
- When you exit the roundabout, use your right hand signal.
- If you are uncomfortable riding through the roundabout, dismount and walk your bike as a pedestrian at the designated crosswalks.
General rules for pedestrian use of the modern roundabout
Always stay on the designated walkways approaching and leaving the roundabout
Designated roadside paths and crosswalks are often shared by bicyclists and pedestrians. Watch for bicyclists when you are at or near the roundabout intersection You should only cross at the designated crosswalks; NEVER cross to the center island. Once getting to the desired crosswalk location, wait for an acceptable gap in traffic before entering the crosswalk. As when crossing any other intersection, look for oncoming cars before entering the crosswalk. Do not assume that cars will stop to let you cross. Only enter the crosswalk when there are no cars coming or when you are certain that all of the oncoming traffic is yielding to you. Proceed to the splitter island. The splitter islands offer a safe refuge between the two different directions of traffic flow allowing you to concentrate on traffic coming from only one direction at a time. Again, wait for an acceptable gap in traffic before entering the crosswalk. Just like before, do not assume that cars will stop to let you cross. Only enter the crosswalk when there are no cars coming or when you are certain that all of the oncoming traffic is yielding to you. After crossing roadway, proceed to your desired location.
For a funny, but somewhat accurate description of a modern day Roundabout, click here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h3uFeauIRrA
