How many meters before a roundabout should you slow down when passing through?
3 Answers
Roundabouts are high-risk areas for traffic accidents. When approaching, you should slow down 50-100 meters before the roundabout, control your speed appropriately, and enter the roundabout in a counterclockwise direction. When driving through a roundabout, you must pay attention to the following five points: 1. Control your speed: Slow down 50-100 meters before the roundabout and adjust your speed according to the traffic conditions. 2. Observe dynamics: When approaching the roundabout, observe the movement of vehicles already inside the roundabout from the left, merge appropriately, and slow down or stop if necessary. 3. Right turn signal: Turn on the right turn signal before exiting the roundabout, and pay attention to the movement of vehicles and pedestrians on the right. 4. Outer lane: In roundabouts with two or more lanes, the inner lane is the fast lane, and the outer lane is the slow lane. When exiting, first change to the outer lane and then exit the roundabout. It is strictly prohibited to exit directly from the inner lane. 5. Turn off the signal: After exiting the roundabout normally, turn off the turn signal.
I've been driving for half my life, and my habit when approaching a roundabout is to start slowing down about 80 meters in advance. This distance gives me enough time to observe the traffic conditions, especially checking for any vehicles speeding in from the left or changes in traffic signals. In rainy or foggy conditions, I start slowing down as early as 100 meters to avoid sudden braking and skidding. Slowing down doesn't mean slamming on the brakes, but gradually reducing speed to merge smoothly into the traffic flow. It also allows me to check if the vehicles behind are slowing down as well, preventing rear-end collisions. Developing this habit makes driving safer and more worry-free, especially at busy intersections. Roundabouts are designed to keep traffic flowing smoothly, but slowing down too late can cause you to miss your exit or even collide with unexpected pedestrians or cyclists.
When teaching driving, I always tell students to start slowing down 75 to 100 meters before approaching a roundabout, depending on road conditions and traffic density. The purpose of slowing down is to reduce the speed sufficiently to observe vehicles on the left and choose a safe entry point. Don't wait until you're too close to slow down, as that can easily lead to loss of control or collisions with obstacles. The deceleration process should involve gently pressing the brakes and making a smooth transition, while maintaining a safe gap and checking the rearview mirror. In practice, slowing down early also helps beginners handle unexpected situations, such as slow-moving vehicles or bicycles at the intersection. Remembering this rule can significantly reduce the risk of accidents and make driving more confident.
