(City of Chubbuck Press Release, August 1, 2022)
With the new Philbin/Chubbuck Rd. Roundabout opening soon, we wanted to share some information on how to Properly Navigate Roundabouts.
1. Pay attention to the advanced signage and plan ahead for your intended destination.
2. Slow down. Always remain in complete control of your vehicle.
3. Always yield to anyone on the left. It does not matter which lane the vehicle is in, always yield to anyone on the left. Yield means to give the right of way to anyone approaching on your left, even if you need to come to a complete stop.
4. Approach the roundabout in the right lane if you need to make a right turn. Complete the right turn at your first opportunity.
5. To go straight through, approach the roundabout from the right or left lane and then stay in that lane until you reach the other side.
6. To make a U-turn or take what would be a left turn at a traditional intersection, stay in the leftmost lane, and follow the lane around until you reach your exit. Then follow the curved line out of the roundabout.
7. There should be no reason to stop, unless it is for bicyclists, pedestrians and unyielding drivers.
8. If you hear sirens from public safety vehicles before entering a roundabout, slow down and pull over to the right side of the road to let them by. If you are already inside the roundabout, continue through the roundabout and pull over to the right side of the road as soon as it is safe to do so. Do not stop in the middle of a roundabout.
9. Use your turn signal throughout the roundabout to signal your intentions to other vehicles.
10. Stay in your lane; do not change lanes.
11. Do not stop in the roundabout.
12. Avoid driving next to oversize vehicles.
13. The central island of many roundabouts includes a Truck Apron, a raised section of concrete that acts as an extra lane for large vehicles. The back wheels of the oversize vehicle can ride up on the Truck Apron so the truck can easily complete the turn, while the raised portion of concrete discourages use by smaller vehicles.
Roundabouts have been proven to be much safer than traditional intersections because they give drivers more time to judge and react to other cars, reduce the severity of crashes and reduce fatalities by up to 90 percent. They also offer 75 percent fewer conflict points than traditional intersections and cost much less to operate.
Overview of roundabout navigation:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=peUf2NRdWxs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=46mOPz3rhHs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=il0Qmt5AOC8
How to navigate a single-lane roundabout (like the new one) with trailer/large truck:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-Qkm7r6k_0
Another good one on truck aprons with large equipment/trailers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KK5k2sH9Mko
roundabouts vs stop lights vs stop signs: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQ0pnCx76Nk
Good overview and thorough. Most articles miss the part about signaling throughout.
One caveat is that on multi-lane roundabouts, just like any other multi-lane intersection, what each lane can do will be posted on lane use signs in advance and often supplemented with pavement markings. Sometimes the left lane is left only and sometimes the right lane is right only. It depends on turning volumes measured before construction, so look for those lane use signs early.