Have you got it figured out?
It turns out that Roundabouts have special driving rules. So, here are three tips you should know to drive safely in a modified multi-lane roundabout now open at the intersection of Southway Ave and Snake River Ave in Lewiston.
THREE SPECIAL ROUNDABOUT RULES:
1. PICK YOUR LANE & STAY IN IT! Pick your lane “BEFORE” you enter the roundabout. You need to consider where you are going and then pick the correct lane. You aren’t supposed to be changing lanes within the roundabout circle. Do not merge lanes until you exit the circle.
Right Lane – pick the right lane if you are turning right or going straight ahead.
Left Lane - pick the left lane if you are turning left or making a
U-Turn.
2. YIELD - You only yield while entering or exiting the Roundabout. Yield to pedestrians and traffic already in the roundabout. Look for a gap in traffic before entering. Once you are in the circle, keep going and don't pause or stop. All traffic entering the Roundabout must yield to you after you are in the circle. Forget the "yield to your right" rule. In a Roundabout you are only yielding to your left when entering. Watch for pedestrians when exiting the circle.
3. SLOW DOWN! Expect the unexpected in a Roundabout – pedestrians, inexperienced drivers, lane changers, large trucks, emergency vehicles. Reduce your speed and stay alert.
CLEAR AS MUD? Pictures are worth a thousand words so click on this link and watch the video “How Do I Drive In A Roundabout?” by the Department of Transportation. It’s short and quite informative.
It will all make sense as soon as you try it. Follow the basic Roundabout rules and you will discover that using the Roundabout easy in no time.
Discussion
Esther Chrystal
Friday, September 27, 2013 at 1:42pm PDT
Sounds simple but it doesn’t look simple. , That is the only problem.
Nelia Hartwig
Saturday, September 28, 2013 at 2:01pm PDT
They need to have longer arrows, if you are coming from the north it has a short arrow that looks like you should turn into the one way.
Thanks
Nelia
Carole Schroeder
Saturday, September 28, 2013 at 2:40pm PDT
Thanks for the informative video on roundabouts. Good information.
ScottRAB
Monday, September 30, 2013 at 5:27pm PDT
The FHWA has a video about modern roundabouts that is mostly accurate (http://tinyurl.com/6v44a3x).
Will Wiese
Monday, October 7, 2013 at 9:03am PDT
Roundabouts are simple to master. Watch the U Tube video for a good explaination by the US Dept of Transportation. Roundabouts save fuel and time. They are a good thing.
Jim Lowther
Thursday, October 31, 2013 at 11:08am PDT
While within the roundabout you must trust an entering vehicle to follow the rules and yield for you. You can’t stop, dodge, or take other evasive action. I have trouble mustering that trust when I see some of the weird stunts that are happening. Hopefully all will settle down when people are more familiar with the rules.
I have driven roundabouts in England/Ireland where there might be four lanes and eight entrances and the rules are in mirror image, and in Mexico where there seem to be no rules. By comparison, this is a pretty good circle.
ScottRAB
Thursday, October 31, 2013 at 1:10pm PDT
Seems like those are the same rules for a signal: 1. choose your entry lane based on your exit lane and don’t change lanes in the intersection. 2. Those in the intersection crossing your path have the right of way (at least until you get the green). 3. Slow down, since you never know if other drivers are going to obey their traffic controls.
How about if the power is out? The modern roundabout keeps on working, while the signal……