How to use a roundabout

Motorists 

1. As you approach the roundabout, reduce your speed, check for signage, watch for pedestrians and cyclists and be prepared to stop.
2. Yield the right-of-way to vehicles already in the roundabout which will be approaching immediately from the left. The vehicles already in the roundabout have the right-of-way, so you may have to stop. 
3. When there is a sufficient opening in traffic, enter the roundabout to your right, and drive counter clockwise. 
4. Once you are in the roundabout, follow the steady flow of traffic. You cannot pass another vehicle or stop in the roundabout unless it is necessary to avoid an accident. If you miss your exit, you can do an extra trip around the roundabout in order to get another opportunity to exit the intersection. 
5. Always use your signal lights as you leave the roundabout, check for pedestrians at the crosswalks and be prepared to stop.

 Pedestrians

1. Use the crosswalks provided.
2. Use the sidewalks as provided and wait for an opening in the traffic to cross.
3. Don't walk into the roundabout by going across the middle of the circle.

Cyclists

Experienced cyclists can travel through the roundabout with vehicles as a motorist, following the same rules. Less experienced cyclists or those uncomfortable with proceeding as a motorist may dismount and walk their bicycle using the pedestrian crosswalks provided.

How do you signal in a roundabout?

A roundabout is similar to an intersection with signals; you need to signal the direction in which you are going to take.

If you are turning right:

• signal right as you approach the roundabout;
• maintain your signal through the roundabout; and
• maintain your signal as you exit.

If you are going straight:

• do not signal as you approach the roundabout; and
• signal right prior to your exit.

If you are turning left:

• signal left as you approach the roundabout;
• maintain your signal through the roundabout; and
• signal right prior to your exit.

If you are going full circle (U-turn):

• signal left as you approach the roundabout;
• maintain your signal through the roundabout; and
• signal right prior to your exit.

What if an emergency vehicle comes through the roundabout?

Do not stop inside the roundabout. If you have not yet entered the roundabout, pull to the right and let the emergency vehicle pass you. If you are in the roundabout, exit as normal, then pull to the right and let the emergency vehicle pass you.

• The Rules are Simple
• Getting to where you need to go in a roundabout kind of way!
• Ministry of Transportation Driver's Handbook - Driving Through Roundabouts
• Region of Waterloo - All About Roundabouts
• Roundabout PSA - Right of Way in a Roundabout