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Roundabouts

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Find information on roundabouts and locations in Halton Region. Learn about roundabouts and how to use roundabouts, as well as frequently asked questions.

Roundabout benefits

Safety

Fewer points-of-conflict and slower speeds decrease the risk of serious collisions.

Efficiency

With fewer stops and less delays than a traffic light or stop sign, roundabouts allow high volumes of traffic to travel the area.

Environmental Impact

More environmentally friendly as they eliminate maintenance and electricity costs affiliated with traffic signals. Furthermore, fewer delays help reduce the level of fuel consumption and car emissions.

How to use a roundabout

How to use a roundabout graphic
 
  • As you approach the roundabout, slow down and watch for pedestrians or cyclists at the entrance of the roundabout.
  • Look for signage and choose the lane corresponding to your exit.
  • Use the left lane to turn left or to go straight.
  • Use the right lane to turn right or to go straight.
  • Visual checks: Do visual checks of all vehicles already in the roundabout and those waiting to enter (including cyclists).
  • Look left: Traffic in the roundabout has the right-of-way. When preparing to enter the roundabout, pay special attention to the vehicles to your left. Adjust your speed or stop at the yield sign if necessary.
  • Adequate gap: Watch for a safe opportunity to enter the roundabout. Enter when there is an adequate gap in the circulating traffic flow. Don't enter directly beside another vehicle already in the roundabout, as they may be exiting at the next exit.
  • Travel counter-clockwise: Once in the roundabout, always keep to the right of the central island and travel in a counter-clockwise direction.
  • Keep moving: Once you are in the roundabout, do not stop except to avoid a collision; you have the right-of-way over entering traffic. Do not change lanes while in the roundabout.
  • Maintain your lane: Stay to the left if you entered from the left lane, or stay to the right if you entered from the right lane.
  • Maintain your position: Maintain your position relative to other vehicles.
  • Signal intent to exit: Once you have passed the exit before the one you are taking, use your right-turn signal and watch for pedestrians.
  • Left lane exit: If exiting from the left lane, watch out for vehicles on the right that continue to circulate around the roundabout.
  • If you see an emergency vehicle approaching, do not stop inside the roundabout.
  • If you have not yet entered the roundabout, pull to the right and let the emergency vehicles pass you.
  • If you are in the roundabout, exit as normal, then pull to the right and let the emergency vehicle pass you.
  • Allow extra room alongside large vehicles (trucks and buses).
  • Large vehicles may have to swing wide on the approach or within the roundabout.
  • Prior to entering the roundabout, the vehicle may need to occupy both lanes.
  • Give them plenty of room.
  • Experienced Cyclists
    • Ride as if you were driving a car.
    • Merge into the travel lane before the bike lane or shoulder ends.
    • Ride in the middle of your lane; don't hug the curb.
    • Use hand signals and signal as if you were a motorist.
    • If you are not comfortable riding through a roundabout, dismount and use the roundabout as a pedestrian would.
  • Walk to the crosswalk briskly and deliberately.
  • Stop to the curb and point your finger across.
  • Look and listen for a safe gap in traffic flow.
  • Keep and make eye contact with drivers in all lanes.
  • Do not cross until the driver stops.
  • Do not cross across the middle of the roundabout.
  • Wait on the splitter island.
  • Start to cross as soon as you are sure that the driver intends to slow or stop.

Roundabout locations in Halton Region

Frequently asked questions

No. How you yield differs in a roundabout versus a four-way stop:

  • Roundabouts: Yield to the circulating traffic from the left. Drivers choose a safe gap to enter.
  • Four-way stops: Yield to whoever arrives first, or the vehicle on the right.
  • Stay calm.
  • Do not stop inside the roundabout.
  • If you have not yet entered the roundabout, pull to the right and let the emergency vehicles pass you.
  • If you are in the roundabout, exit as normal, then pull to the right and let the emergency vehicle pass you.

Yes. Roundabouts have a raised area called a truck apron around the centre island. It allows large vehicles and trucks easier circulation in the roundabout.

Note that trucks and large vehicles have a larger turning radius than cars.

  • Allow large vehicles to enter the roundabout ahead of you when appropriate.
  • Allow them to have clearance to occupy both lanes if necessary, by providing appropriate space.

Yes. Snow removal is similar to that of intersections. Roundabouts make it easier for snowplows to turn.

  • Pedestrians go first.
  • Slow down and yield to pedestrians.
  • Never block the crosswalk.
  • Allow pedestrians to walk across completely before proceeding.
  • If a cyclist is riding in the roundabout, treat them like a vehicle.
  • If a cyclist is walking their bicycle, treat them like a pedestrian and give them the right of way at crosswalks.
  • Single Lane Roundabout
    If you miss your exit, keep indicating right and go all the way around the roundabout to your desired exit.
  • Multi-lane Roundabout
    If the roundabout has more than one lane, look at the road markings to determine which direction is straight through. For all exits you must indicate left before you take the exit.

Yes. You must travel counterclockwise, and go with the flow of traffic.

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