The Rules of Roundabouts: A Guide for Ontario Drivers

The number of roundabouts in Ontario has increased steadily over the past few years, not only at busy urban intersections but also in residential and rural neighborhoods. Besides being safer than the typical stop-light intersections, roundabouts present many other benefits to motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians. However, driving through a roundabout for the first time can be a terrifying experience for drivers only used to the conventional four-way stop intersections.

In this post, we discuss everything you need to know about roundabout rules in Ontario, from how to approach a roundabout, the right entry and exit lanes, who has the right of way, how to use turn signal indicators, and more. Whether you are new to roundabout driving or want to brush up on your driving skills, understanding and following these Ontario roundabout guidelines will bolster your confidence behind the wheel and present the numerous perks of roundabouts.

What is a Roundabout?

A roundabout is a circular intersection with a central island where two or more roads converge. It’s designed to make traffic flow efficient and enhance the safety of drivers, pedestrians, and active transit users such as cyclists at intersections. Moreover, a roundabout can consist of one or several lanes depending on the volume of road traffic through the area. Road traffic in Ontario circulates through roundabouts in a counter-clockwise direction, always keeping to the right of the center island.

How Roundabouts Work

Roundabouts are designed with raised central islands and a tight radius around which road traffic flows counter-clockwise. Besides controlling the direction of traffic flow, roundabouts promote continuous traffic flow through intersections; unlike traditional stop-light intersections, drivers and cyclists have to stop and wait for traffic lights to indicate their turn to proceed through.

Modern roundabouts are typically built to accommodate large vehicles, including trucks, buses, and trailers.

How to Use a Roundabout in Ontario

You must understand and adhere to specific rules when approaching, entering, going around, and exiting roundabouts in Ontario. Further, important provisions exist for pulling over and driving a large vehicle around a roundabout in Ontario. Here’s the breakdown:

Approaching a Roundabout in Ontario

When approaching any roundabout in Ontario, here’s what you should do:

• Look out for a reduced speed sign as you draw near the roundabout zone
• Slow down when you come across the black and yellow ‘approaching roundabout’ sign
• Keep an eye open for any vehicles, cyclists, and crossing pedestrians
• Look out for road signage directing you to your entry and exit lane
• Stop and yield to any traffic (drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians) inside the roundabout

Entering and Going through a Roundabout

Here’s what to do when entering and going through a roundabout in Ontario:

• Look out for any road traffic already inside and approaching the roundabout
• Before entering the roundabout, always look to your left for oncoming traffic and give way to any vehicle or cyclist already inside the roundabout as they have the right of way.
• Keep your eyes on the road and avoid any form of distracted driving.
• Only enter the roundabout when there’s a sufficiently big and safe traffic gap in the flow. Don’t enter closely beside another vehicle, as it could be preparing to take the next exit.
• Stick to the right of the roundabout’s central island, and remember always to move counter-clockwise as traffic flows in a single direction.
• Never stop inside the roundabout unless you are avoiding an imminent collision. Traffic flow in a roundabout should proceed continuously.
• Stick to your lane (don’t change lanes) inside the roundabout.
• If you miss your exit, go around the roundabout again until you return to your intended exit point.
• Cyclists using a roundabout in Ontario have a choice to either merge into the vehicle lane as the bike lane ends, stick to the center of the correct lane, and proceed through the roundabout like motorists, or dismount their bikes and walk along the roundabout’s perimeter crosswalks like pedestrians.

Exiting a Roundabout

When exiting a roundabout in Ontario, here’s what you should do:

• Turn on your blinker to signal the road users behind your intention to exit the roundabout. Preferably, turn on the signal indicator immediately after passing the exit preceding the one you intend to take.
• Watch out for any crossing cyclists and pedestrians.
• Stay inside your lane- avoid switching lanes when exiting the roundabout.
• If you must exit from the left lane, use your side and rearview mirrors to check for traffic on the right before changing lanes and exiting.

Driving a Large Vehicle in a Roundabout

When driving a large vehicle such as an RV, bus, truck, or trailer in a roundabout in Ontario, you can occupy both lanes when entering the roundabout, particularly if the turn is tight. Once you enter the roundabout, you can occupy two lanes using the mountable curb (apron) of the central island when circling through the roundabout. However, it’s expressly illegal to drive through the central island, however small it might be.

If you are cycling or driving next to or behind a large vehicle in a roundabout, yield to them as they need a wider space to maneuver around the roundabout safely and successfully.

Pulling Over in a Roundabout

If you are approaching or waiting to enter the roundabout and an emergency vehicle drives behind you, pull over to the right to give them way before proceeding. However, avoid stopping if an emergency vehicle rushes into the roundabout behind you. Drive to your desired exit and pull over after exiting to give them way.

Common Roundabout Signs in Ontario

These are the road signs you are likely to find before or inside roundabouts in Ontario:

• Speed limit signs to signal the maximum speed limit in the roundabout.
• Roundabout approaching- A yellow sign with three black circular arrows indicates an oncoming roundabout and urges drivers and cyclists to slow down.
• A red and white upside-down triangle yield sign signals drivers to yield the right-of-way before entering the roundabout.
• Green and white directional signs with street names for each exit guide traffic in the roundabout to desired exits.
• Exit signs with town or street names indicate where each exit leads to.
• Overhead or side-mounted lane marking signs point drivers entering the roundabout to the correct lane they should take in the roundabout to exit at their preferred point.
• Yellow horizontal traffic direction sign consisting of black and white arrows points to the counter-clockwise direction of traffic flow in the roundabout.
• Island or median signs notify traffic of approaching obstructions like islands or medians.
• Truck encroachment signs alert other road users that large vehicles can occupy both lanes in the roundabout.

Benefits of Roundabouts in Ontario

Roundabouts in Ontario present numerous advantages, including:

• Improving traffic flow by preventing traffic delays and congestion
• Reducing severe injury and deadly traffic collisions via one-directional traffic flow and few traffic conflict points. Moreover, the central island slows down traffic through the roundabout. It protects road users at the intersection from the bright glare of oncoming traffic’s headlights at night, thereby preventing potential accidents.
• They are safer for active transport road users such as cyclists and pedestrians.
• Roundabouts are eco-friendly because the continuous traffic flow contributes to fewer delays and stops, causing vehicles to consume less fuel and emit less toxic greenhouse gasses.
• They are more cost-effective to install and maintain than the typical traffic-light intersections.

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