Roundabout Signals: Intro

Are you wondering about roundabout signals when driving? Roundabouts are designed to keep traffic moving and improve safety at intersections.

How does it improve safety? Well, first of all, drivers are forced to slow down before the circle. This alone improves safety because the slower you crash, the less it hurts.

Secondly, it’s rather impossible to have a ‘T-bone’ collision in a roundabout. This is one of the worst types of collisions.

Technically a roundabout is a traffic circle with more than one lane. Although I hear a lot of people referring them to ‘circle things’ :lol:

roundabout signals: On Approach to the roundabout

On approach, reduce your speed to about 20 km/hr in case you need to yield to other vehicles and for good control.

Look for signs and pedestrians and be prepared. You must yield to any traffic already in the roundabout.

This means you will yield to your immediate left. All vehicles must enter to the right and use the roundabout in a counter-clockwise direction.

You can enter the roundabout when there is a safe gap in the traffic and you feel it is safe.

Once you are inside the roundabout, vehicles approaching are supposed to yield to you.

Do not stop inside the roundabout unless traffic conditions require you to do so.

Keep in mind that if you miss your exit you may horrify your passengers and drive in circles until you find it again.

Roundabout Signals For Going ‘Straight’ at the roundabout

When you’re driving and you’d like to continue straight ahead, do not signal on approach and signal ‘right’ before you leave.

Roundabout Signals For Turning Right at the roundabout

You need to turn right? Simply signal ‘right’ on approach keep signal on until you are gone.

Left at the roundabout

Ah the left turn? Signal ‘left’ on approach and signal ‘right’ before you leave.

Roundabouts are not complicated

• Check for signs and road marking, not all roundabouts are the same
• Yield to anyone already in the circle, this includes bikes and pedestrians
• Use your right turn signal before you leave

Read more: The info and interactive roundabout simulator on the Ministry of Transportation webpage