Roundabouts: How to Drive Them

A roundabout is a circular intersection. It is controlled with specific signage and pavement markings, in addition to lane configurations,
to guide traffic in an orderly manner.  The image below shows an example roundabout.

Roundabouts are not “rotaries” or “traffic circles” in that roundabouts: 

• Have smaller footprints
• Have slower circulating traffic
• Are simpler and more intuitive to maneuver, requiring no special driving skills or extra daring
• Are friendlier for bicyclists and pedestrians.
   

HOW TO DRIVE A ROUNDABOUT

• All traffic in a roundabout circulates counter-clockwise
• Traffic approaching the roundabout must yield to traffic in the roundabout.

Making Right Turns:

1. Slow and prepare to yield to your left
2. On approach, you must be in the right lane to turn right
3. Use right turn signal on your vehicle.

Going Straight Ahead:

1. Slow and prepare to yield to your left
2. For a dual-lane approach, stay in the left lane; otherwise, approach as normal in a single lane
3. After proceeding through roundabout, display right turn signal just prior to taking the intended exit.

Making Left Turns/U-Turns:

1. Slow and prepare to yield to your left
2. For a dual-lane approach, stay in the left lane; otherwise approach as normal in a single lane
3. After proceeding through roundabout, display right turn signal just prior to taking the intended exit.

HOW TO BIKE & WALK A ROUNDABOUT

• Skilled bicyclists may share the road with drivers going through the roundabout; obey the same rules of the road as drivers
• Bicyclists may also choose "exit ramps" onto shared-use paths to go around the roundabout, separate from vehicular traffic
• State law does not protect bikers riding in crosswalks; bikers should walk their bicycles when using crosswalks.

• Pedestrians must use crosswalks
• Cross one car lane at a time; make sure that approaching vehicles yield before entering the crosswalk.

DO'S & DON'TS

There are a few principal behaviors that roundabout drivers should and should not do.  In all circumstances, drivers must adhere to the California Vehicle Code and common-sense rules of the road.       

DO'S

• Observe all signs and marking on approach to - and proceeding through - the roundabout
• Slow down
• Yield to crossing pedestrians
• Yield to other drivers and bicyclists already circulating in the roundabout.    

DON'T'S

• Don't enter the roundabout until safe to do so (Look to your left for gaps in traffic)
• Never stop in the roundabout (except for an emergency)
• Never turn left at the 'Yield' line
• Never pass vehicles ahead in the roundabout.
  

VIDEO TUTORIAL

A brief video tutorial on how to appropriately navigate a roundabout is also available to view by clicking here.  (Video courtesy of the City of Indianapolis Public Works Dept.)

QUESTIONS?

You may contact Lafayette Transportation Planner James Hinkamp at (925) 299-3229 or jhinkamp@lovelafayette.org