You Say Traffic Circle, I Say Roundabout

Roundabouts, traffic circles, or rotary traffic islands (rotaries for short) are all names for a type of circular roadway infrastructure we’re seeing more and more of in the Greenville area. Originating in the United Kingdom in the 1960s, these intersections were created to improve traffic flow. When arriving at a traffic circle, a car merges into the counterclockwise-moving traffic unless the circle is full. Once a vehicle enters the roundabout, it follows the circular route until reaching the exit for the desired roadway.

Roundabouts provide many benefits over conventional intersections. In addition to providing a typically nice greenspace to drive around, roundabouts, with their yield signs and low speeds have been found to be 30% safer than traditional four-way intersections with traffic signals and stop signs. According to greenvillesc.gov, compared to traffic signals, roundabouts typically reduce crashes by 40 - 60%, reduce injury by 35 - 80%, and almost completely eliminate incapacitating injury and fatal crashes. The tight circle of a roundabout forces drivers to slow down, practically eliminating the most severe types of intersection crashes: right-angle, left-turn and head-on collisions. They're also much easier for large vehicles and emergency vehicles to navigate.

Besides improved traffic flow and safety, roundabouts are better for the environment. Improved flow reduces traffic congestion and results in less idling, which in turn reduces vehicle emissions and fuel consumption.

Roundabouts also offer many benefits for pedestrians and cyclists, including shorter crossing distances and less complicated intersection geometry. That being said, pedestrians need to keep in mind that traffic is only required to slow down, not stop, in the circle. Vehicles are required to yield to pedestrians in all marked crosswalks in SC, but generally crosswalks are found at the roadways entering the roundabout, not across the circle itself. While pedestrian safety is clearly vital, drivers inside the traffic circle may not always know what their responsibilities are when people walk near or in a traffic circle. Be extra vigilant. Cross only on marked crosswalks, even if it means “taking the long way around”. 

Rules for Driving Roundabouts

First and foremost, vehicles already in the traffic circle have the right of way. Every entrance has a yield sign for approaching vehicles. Drivers in the roundabout may slow down to provide a safe gap for those entering, but they should never stop once in the circle (which occurs once they have crossed the yield sign).

From SCDOT, here are a few key points to remember when driving a roundabout:

· Yield to other drivers within the roundabout. For multi-lane roundabouts, you must yield to BOTH lanes of traffic.

· Do not change lanes or pass others.

· Do not stop within the roundabout.

· Avoid driving next to large trucks.

· Use your turn signal before exiting the roundabout.

· SLOW DOWN when approaching a roundabout.

· SELECT the correct lane. For multi-lane roundabouts, stay left if you intend to make a left or U-turn.

· WATCH for pedestrians in the crosswalk.

· WATCH for bicyclists and allow them to merge into the entry lane.

· YIELD to traffic already in the roundabout.

· MERGE into the traffic flow when it is safe.

· DO NOT STOP in the roundabout except to avoid a collision. Continue through the roundabout until you reach your exit.

· DO NOT PASS other vehicles. Maintain a slow speed through the roundabout.

· EXIT the roundabout immediately if an emergency vehicle approaches, and then pull over.

· YIELD to pedestrians and bicyclists when exiting the roundabout.

A few other points to note:

• Right of way is to be yielded in the following order, to:
• Pedestrians showing intention to cross.
• Emergency vehicles.
• Traffic already in the circle (watch for those entering directly opposite you i.e., ‘oncoming’ traffic). Yield to all vehicles and cyclists before entering.
• The first road user approaching the circle.
• If you have right of way, be prepared to stop in case another road user is unaware of, or ignores, the rules.
• Signal your intentions when approaching and leaving a roundabout or traffic circle:
• If turning right, signal right on entering, and again in advance of leaving the circle.
• If going straight, do not signal on approaching the circle, but signal right as you approach your exit.
• If going left, signal left on approaching the circle, then signal right as you approach your exit.

More Facts About Roundabouts:

- There are two different types of roundabouts: single-lane and multi-lane. A single-lane roundabout is the most common type of roundabout and requires drivers to yield before entering. In a multi-lane roundabout, all lanes are equal – no one has right of way over another – and a driver should stay in one lane throughout the entire circle until ready to exit. When preparing to exit, vehicle operators should turn on their right turn signals as soon as they pass the exit immediately before the one that will be used.

- For right-hand traffic, like in the US and most of the world, traffic flows counterclockwise around the roundabout. For left-hand traffic, as in England, Australia, and India among others, the flow is clockwise. This allows for the driver to always be on the inner side of the circle.

- Oxford Circus. Cambridge Circus. Finsbury Circus. Piccadilly Circus. Westferry Circus. Arnold Circus. Ludgate Circus. Holborn Circus. Circuses all over London, without a single clown or tightrope in sight. So why the name? Circus comes from the Latin root 'circ', for circle. (Which, obviously, would be how circuses with their traditionally round tents got their name.) Incidentally, Piccadilly Circus is not even a full circle anymore...

Think you’ve got the hang of roundabouts? 

Maybe you’re ready to attempt driving the Swindon Magic Roundabout in England. This behemoth of a traffic circle is an insane combination of 7 roundabouts!!