Giving way at roundabouts

Giving way at roundabouts

A roundabout is a central island in the middle of an intersection, where all vehicles must travel to the left of the island. Roundabouts can be small, large, single-laned or multi-laned. The number of roads that come into a roundabout can range from three to five or even more.

Single-laned roundabouts

When you come up to a roundabout that has only one lane in each direction:

• slow down as you come up to the roundabout
• give way to all vehicles that will cross your path from your right as you enter the roundabout.

Multi-laned roundabouts

Most roundabouts that have more than one lane in each direction are marked with lanes and arrows, which help you enter and leave the roundabout. The lane markings and arrows will tell you which lane to use.

Not all roundabouts are marked the same way, so take extra care – especially at the exits. If you need to cross from one lane to another near an exit, give way to any vehicles in the lane that you want to enter.

When coming up to a multi-laned roundabout:

• try to get into the correct lane
• give way to all vehicles that will cross your path from your right as you enter the roundabout.

 

Signal use at roundabouts

If you are turning left at the first exit of a roundabout:

• signal left as you come up to the roundabout.

If you are travelling more than halfway around a roundabout:

• signal right as you come up to the roundabout
• signal left as you pass the exit before the one you wish to take.

If you are going 'straight' through a roundabout:

• don't signal as you come up to the roundabout
• signal left as you pass the exit before the one you wish to take. At some small roundabouts it may not be possible to give three seconds warning, but it is courteous to give as much indication as you can.

Roundabout signs

Some of the signs you may see at a roundabout are shown below.

The sign below tells you that you are coming up to a roundabout. You should be ready to give way.

The sign below tells you to keep to the left of the traffic island as you come up to the roundabout.

The signs below tell you that you must apply the roundabout give way rules.

The picture below shows you where you can expect to see these signs at a roundabout.