Traffic - Roundabout Tips
Traffic circles, go-arounds, roundabouts. Whatever you call them, they present some challenges, especially if a person is not alert or attentive, as is the case in many of our crashes. These types of intersections are here to stay, and they are very effective, if used correctly. If used correctly, they are also very efficient and safe.
First rule to remember: Roundabouts are designed to relieve the backup where ever it is. One lady remarked that she came off I-15 from St. George to go to Wal-mart and she had to wait for over 20 cars coming from under the overpass. She pleaded with me to make sure that people understood that one car goes, then the next car yields for her to go. (See #1) I had to tell her that this is not a take turns situation and that she must yield to all vehicles coming from her left. If 20 cars are coming from the left, she must yield to all of them until there is a space for her to enter the round about. Once in the round about, she now had the right of way and other cars must yield to her as she approaches their location. This is to relieve the back up so that other cars in other parts of the circle are not affected by a long line of traffic. Those in the roundabout should also be alert and take precautions for those who violate the laws and do not yield to their left.
Second rule: if the round about is two or more lanes, the vehicles coming off the freeway can get in the left lane (to go to Sun River or Bloomington Hills, for example). When there is a break, they must enter the round about into the left lane. (See #2) They can enter side by side a vehicle in the right lane, making sure that the vehicle in the right lane goes into the right lane. The car in the inside lane now must stay there until it is safe to make a lane change to the right lane in preparation for exiting from the right lane when the road comes up that they need to take. For example: suppose you come from St. George and want to go to Bloomington Hills. Get in the left lane, enter the roundabout in the left lane side by side another car in the right lane. Go into the left lane in the round about and go around the circle. (See #3) Turn on your right turn signal as you come to the road to Sun River, slowing down if necessary to create a safe space to your right (usually created when the vehicle to your right exits). Make the lane change using your signal well in advance of the road that goes under the freeway. There are not two lanes going under the freeway, so the car in the left lane cannot legally turn right from the left lane. Also, the car in the right lane may go past the road under the freeway to go to Wal-mart. A crash will be the result. If you are in the left lane and no one will let you change lanes to the right, go around again. Stopping to force someone to let you change to the right lane will only create a rear end collision with someone behind you who can’t see your stopped vehicle.
Being alert to the needs of other drivers will certainly help. If you find yourself in the right lane and someone in the left lane turns on their right turn signal, tap your brakes to allow them a space to go in front of you. You will only lose a fraction of a second and they will appreciate your courtesy. Even if they don’t, rest assured that the police appreciate it. You may have prevented a crash.
Written by
Sgt. Craig Harding
Public Information Officer |
