Roundabouts: Approaching, Entering, Navigating & Exiting Safely

Roundabouts are circular intersections where traffic moves counter-clockwise around a central island. Understanding proper roundabout techniques is essential for safe navigation.\n\nApproaching a Roundabout:\nAs you approach the roundabout, look for signage to choose your exit. Choose which lane to use as you would for any other intersection:\n• Use the left lane to turn left or to go straight\n• Use the right lane to turn right or to go straight\n• Do not enter a roundabout from the right lane if you want to turn left\n\nCyclists generally keep to the centre of the appropriate lane, or dismount and use the roundabout as a pedestrian would. Slow down and watch for pedestrians on the approach to the yield line at the entrance of the roundabout. Stay in your lane.\n\nEntering the Roundabout:\n• Visual checks: Do visual checks of all vehicles already in the roundabout and those waiting to enter (including cyclists)\n• Look left: Traffic in the roundabout has the right-of-way. When preparing to enter the roundabout, pay special attention to the vehicles to your left. Adjust your speed or stop at the yield sign if necessary\n• Adequate gap: Watch for a safe opportunity to enter the roundabout. Enter when there is an adequate gap in the circulating traffic flow. Don't enter directly beside another vehicle already in the roundabout, as that vehicle may be exiting at the next exit\n• Travel counter-clockwise: Once in the roundabout, always keep to the right of the central island and travel in a counter-clockwise direction\n• Keep moving: Once you are in the roundabout, do not stop except to avoid a collision; you have the right-of-way over entering traffic. Do not change lanes while in the roundabout. If in the inside lane and you miss your exit, you must continue around until you meet your exit again\n\nExiting the Roundabout:\n• Signal: Be sure to signal your exit and watch for pedestrians\n• Maintain your lane: Stay to the left if you entered from the left lane, or stay to the right if you entered from the right lane\n• Maintain your position: Maintain your position relative to other vehicles\n• Signal intent to exit: Once you have passed the exit before the one you want, use your right-turn signal\n• Left lane exit: If exiting from the left lane, watch out for vehicles on the right that continue to circulate around the roundabout\n\nSpecial Situations:\n• Large vehicles: Allow extra room alongside large vehicles (trucks and buses). Large vehicles may have to swing wide on the approach or within the roundabout. Give them plenty of room\n• Emergency vehicles: If you are in a roundabout when an emergency vehicle approaches, exit at your intended exit and proceed beyond the traffic island before pulling over. If you have not entered the roundabout yet, pull over to the right if possible and wait until the emergency vehicle has passed\n• Large vehicle operation: A driver negotiating a roundabout in a large vehicle (such as a truck or bus) may need to use the full width of the roadway, including the apron (a mountable portion of the centre island adjacent to the roadway) if provided. Prior to entering the roundabout, the vehicle may need to occupy both lanes. Give large vehicles plenty of room to manoeuvre\n\nNote: In some areas of Ontario, older 'traffic circles' exist. They are larger than roundabouts, allowing higher speeds, and force traffic to merge and weave. Modern roundabouts have a smaller inscribed circle diameter and use splitter islands (to deflect traffic) at the entry points to slow traffic speeds, or to provide pedestrian refuge. The entry is also controlled by the 'yield to the left' principle; cars circulating within the roundabout have the right-of-way over entering vehicles.