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Roundabouts
Roundabouts
A roundabout is a circular intersection design increasingly being used by MDOT. While some people use the term "roundabouts" and "traffic circles" interchangeably, they are not the same thing. Roundabouts are typically smaller than traffic circles, and drivers must yield to vehicles already in the roundabout before entering.
Roundabouts have been proven to safely decrease traffic delays and congestion. When selected and designed correctly, roundabouts can handle a high volume of traffic, including commercial trucks and large emergency vehicles.
How to drive a roundabout
Roundabouts are easy to navigate and safer than traditional intersections. Remember, traffic in the roundabout always moves counterclockwise.
- Choose your lane before entering.
- Yield to traffic already in the roundabout.
- Yield to pedestrians in crosswalks.
- Indicate your exit by using your turn signal.
- Use signs and pavement markings to help guide you.
Why does the middle of a roundabout look like that?
Many roundabouts have vegetation or landscaping in their centers. In addition to aesthetics, there are practical and safety reasons. Maintenance of those areas can pose a challenge for crews, and the safety risk and financial costs can be greatly reduced by creating areas that do not require frequent or regular maintenance.
There also are safety and operational reasons for these areas:
- They block the glare of oncoming headlights across the roundabout.
- The raised center gives motorists the visual cue to reduce their speed when approaching the roundabout and clearly indicates to drivers they cannot pass straight through the intersection.
- The vegetation or barriers direct drivers’ attention to the right and left, the directions from which vehicular and pedestrian traffic matter at a roundabout.
- The landscaping discourages pedestrian traffic through the roundabout center.