Roundabouts

diagram of a roundabout Roundabouts are circular intersections where two or more roads meet. Instead of stopping at red lights, traffic moves to the right, counterclockwise, around a centre island. With fewer contact points and slower vehicle speeds, roundabouts can decrease the risk of serious accidents.

Roundabouts are being used more frequently in Loyalist and Kingston so you should make sure you know how to use them.

Learn more about Ontario's rules for driving through roundabouts:

How to use a roundabout

Roundabouts and older traffic circles are all controlled by the "yield to the left" principle - cars on the roundabout have right-of-way over entering vehicles.

You must signal right as you exit the roundabout.

There are different things you need to know depending on whether you are using them as a driver, cyclist or pedestrian.

Drivers

Entering the roundabout 

Slow down when approaching the roundabout
Stop for any pedestrians crossing or looking to cross at a pedestrian crossover
Yield to any traffic already in the roundabout
Enter the roundabout only when there is a safe gap in traffic

In the roundabout 

Travel in a counterclockwise direction
Drive slowly and be alert of your surroundings
Remember that entering traffic must yield to you

Exiting the roundabout 

Stop for any pedestrians crossing or looking to cross at a crossover
Signal right as you exit the roundabout

Cyclists

You can either ride through a roundabout like vehicles do or dismount and cross the roundabout as a pedestrian. If riding through the roundabout:

Before entering the roundabout, carefully move into the center of the travel lane
Stay in the middle of the traffic lane until you are ready to exit
Use hand signals to signal right when exiting the roundabout

Pedestrians

Cross roundabouts in two stages by using the curbed area in the middle of the roadway as a rest point. Never use the large centre island as a means of crossing instead cross around it.

Roundabouts with crossovers and crosswalk markings:

Go to the edge of the curb and let drivers know you want to cross
Once vehicles have completely stopped you can cross

Roundabouts without crossovers and crosswalk markings:

Wait for a safe gap in traffic and then cross