How to Drive When Entering a Roundabout?

[Hank]

When motor vehicles pass through a roundabout, they must drive in a counterclockwise direction around the roundabout facility and exit at the desired direction. On the lanes within large roundabouts, there are usually separation zones to allow motor vehicles and non-motor vehicles to drive in separate lanes. Within the motor vehicle lanes, some are marked with two or more lanes for motor vehicles heading in different directions to drive separately. Right-turning vehicles must enter the right lane. Vehicles going straight or turning left must enter the left lane. Before entering a roundabout, motor vehicles must slow down in time. When exiting, they should turn on the right turn signal in advance, pass through the roundabout, and wait for an opportunity to enter the right lane.

[OWalker]

As an ordinary driver with over a decade of experience, I believe the first step when entering a roundabout is to slow down in advance—don't rush in. Reducing your speed to around 30 mph gives you enough time to observe your surroundings. The key is to yield to vehicles already in the roundabout, as they have the right of way—this is a fundamental traffic rule. Don’t assume it’s empty and charge in; what if a car suddenly emerges? Lane selection is also crucial: use the left lane for going straight or turning left, and the right lane for turning right. Before entering, don’t forget to signal left to indicate your intention to join the roundabout; when preparing to exit, signal right to let others know you’re leaving. Personally, I once got into a minor rear-end collision because I failed to signal, costing me a lot in repairs and unnecessary hassle. Additionally, at night when visibility is poor, extra caution is needed—ensure the lighting at the roundabout entrance is functional. My general advice is to practice a few times to get familiar. Roundabouts are well-designed to ease congestion, but safety always comes first—don’t take risks just to save time.

[ArianaAnn]

When I first got my driver's license, roundabouts really confused me. My instructor emphasized: slow down to 10-15 mph before entering, keep your eyes and ears open, and only enter when there's no car inside the roundabout; if a car is coming, stop and wait, don't force your way in. Be decisive when choosing lanes, don't hesitate at the entrance to avoid misunderstandings - staying in the left lane when going straight is standard practice. Don't forget to use turn signals: left signal when entering, right signal when exiting, so others know your intentions. I made a mistake during practice once: didn't yield and got scolded by the instructor, luckily nothing happened. What beginners often overlook is checking road signs in advance to determine which exit to take, avoiding panic inside the roundabout. Safety class mentioned that roundabouts have high accident rates, mostly due to failure to yield or incorrect turn signal usage. It gets easier with more practice - the key is staying calm and making slowing down a habit to develop safe driving mentality.

[BenjaminAnn]

Veteran Driver's Advice: Slow down, look, and yield when entering a roundabout. Reduce speed by at least 20 mph, quickly scan the movement of vehicles inside the roundabout—whoever is already in it has the right of way. When choosing lanes, pick the left lane for going straight without hesitation; signal left when entering and right when exiting—don't misuse your signals. In my opinion, the biggest risks are failing to yield or following too closely. After decades of driving, I've learned that anticipation is key—observe other vehicles' movements to avoid sudden braking. Roundabouts are designed for smooth traffic flow, but ignoring the rules can lead to congestion or minor collisions. Fuel-saving tip: Enter smoothly to minimize stop-and-go. In short, stay calm behind the wheel, and remember the yielding principle for safe driving.