Halifax has been improving traffic flow by changing key intersections to roundabouts. Modern roundabouts greatly improve many aspects of a typical intersection.
Why should I embrace roundabouts?
By installing a roundabout instead of a traffic signal or all-way stop, you’ll have less delays on your commute. You’ll also have improved fuel consumption and emission control as there will be less of a chance that you will need to stop.
The municipality, and ultimately the taxpayer, will see an improvement from lower maintenance costs compared to an intersection with traffic signals. There are greater safety benefits with roundabouts compared to traditional intersections due to the reduced speeds, the yield-upon-entry format, and the reduction in head-on and sharp-angle collisions.
Pedestrian crossing distances are also decreased by the inclusion of a pedestrian island, allowing pedestrians to cross each direction separately while ensuring traffic is yielding from each direction.
How do I drive through a roundabout?
Navigating a roundabout is very simple. Drive counter-clockwise, always keeping the middle to your left. Approaching a roundabout, yield to a pedestrian if there is one approaching the crosswalk, and then yield to vehicles already in the roundabout. Enter the roundabout when there’s a safe gap in traffic and exit your desired leg of the roundabout, again yielding to pedestrians.
Traffic in the roundabout has the right-of-way. You must wait for a safe gap in traffic before you enter the roundabout.
There are a number of things you must do when you use a roundabout:
- Approach
- Choose a lane
- Yield at the crosswalk
- Yield to traffic
- Enter when safe
- Signal intent to exit
- Exit
- Yield at the crosswalk
- Proceed
Approach
Slow down. Roundabouts are designed for speeds of between 30 and 50km/h. Look for signs that will help you to find your exit. Watch for people using the crosswalk and be ready to yield or stop.
Choose a lane
Some roundabouts have 2 or more lanes. Follow the signs and road markings to choose the correct lane before you enter the circle. On multi-lane roundabouts, the lane you use to enter the roundabout determines where you can exit.
Remember to yield to ALL lanes of traffic in a multi-lane roundabout.
Yield
There are 3 places to yield when approaching a roundabout:
- at the crosswalk - Make sure there are no pedestrians in your path before continuing to the roundabout.
- at the entrance to the roundabout - Wait for a safe gap in traffic before entering the roundabout. Pay attention to ALL traffic coming from your left.
- at the crosswalk when you exit the roundabout - Make sure there are no pedestrians in your path before proceeding.
Enter when safe
Enter the roundabout when there is a safe gap in traffic. Continue until you reach your exit. Stay in your lane at all times. Do NOT stop except to avoid a collision.
Never drive next to a large vehicle or truck on a multi-lane roundabout and don't try to pass one. Large trucks need a lot of room to turn. You can give them the room they need by staying farther behind them than you normally would with passenger vehicles.
Signal intent to exit
As you near your exit, use your right-turn signal to let others know you plan to exit.
Exit
Exit at a slow speed. Watch for people using the crosswalk and be ready to stop. If you miss your exit, keep going around the roundabout until you reach it again.