A sign tells drivers to yield to incoming traffic on the left at the roundabout at Smith Valley and Honey Creek roads Friday in Greenwood. Mia Lehmkuhl | Daily Journal
A majority of accidents at roundabouts can be avoided if drivers use them properly, local officials say.
In many cases, accidents at roundabouts occur because drivers do not use them properly or are unsure how to approach them. Maj. Andy Fisher, road division commander at the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office, said drivers need to pay attention, yield and express a bit more courtesy to their fellow drivers.
“It’s the non-paying attention. It’s the non-yielding or not yielding to what’s coming to you on your left side,” Fisher said. “I think some of it is if we were a little more courteous to one another and actually did utilize a turn signal and when you were exiting you would maybe know, ‘OK, I realized that she is getting ready to exit this. Oh, she’s not utilizing that. She’s not getting ready to exit. She’s getting ready to come towards where I’m at.’”
“You have to but it’s a courteous thing. I think we all need to be more courteous,” Fisher added.
Drivers can be courteous to others by utilizing their turn signals to tell other drivers what exit they intend to take in a roundabout. This can help drivers yield to those already inside the roundabout, which is especially helpful in roundabouts that have three or more stops, officials said.
The Indiana Department of Transportation provides a step-by-step guide to driving in roundabouts. Roundabouts have been added to the Indiana Driver’s Manual for those studying for their driving skills exam or written test.
The first step of safely navigating a roundabout is for a driver to slow down and ensure they stay in their lane. Then, drivers must make sure to yield to other vehicles and special attention to the left side. Obey one-way signs at all times and yield to pedestrians or bicycles if there is a crosswalk or designated bike lane, according to INDOT.
Once the coast is clear, merge with traffic into the roundabout and yield if necessary. Traffic that is already in the roundabout has the right of way, the guide says.
Drivers should continue through the roundabout until they reach their exit and avoid stopping inside the roundabout as this can disrupt the flow of traffic. As a courtesy, they should turn on their turn signal to tell other drivers where they intend to exit — which is always on the right. Left turns can be made in a roundabout by circling around the center island and making a right turn to exit, the guide says.
Drivers must keep in mind, as well, that some roundabouts have multiple lanes. For multiple-lane roundabouts, drivers should be mindful of the pavement markings and signs that define which direction traffic in each lane should flow.
When drivers encounter an emergency vehicle in a roundabout, drivers should behave in the same manner they would on a typical road. Motorists should carefully move as far right as possible and stop if necessary until the emergency vehicle passes, the guide says.
Following these steps can ensure that roundabouts are safer for others, Fisher said.
“A lot of times, we may see someone come from outside this area where that may not be used to this — to the roundabout system. Obviously, in Central Indiana, it started on the north side, appeared in Carmel and other municipalities started out with it and we’ve slowly caught on to it and it seems to be working,” Fisher said. “I would suggest any new driver — just like I have a daughter that’s going through driver’s ed. — you should get online and as someone that has been driving, we explain to them what they need to do.”
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Read about how Johnson County officials say roundabouts have improved safety by clicking here.
