How do roundabouts work and who has the right-of-way? What Pennsylvania traffic law says
Have you ever approached a roundabout and had a driver in the circle stop to let you in? While people may do this with good intentions, it’s not how modern roundabouts are meant to be used.
Roundabouts are safer than other intersections, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation reports, because they have fewer potential conflict points and require motorists to drive at slower speeds. They also offer “easier decision making,” the commonwealth’s department of transportation says.
PennDOT released data last year about 36 state route roundabouts that used to be controlled by stop signs or traffic lights and found the following:
“Suspected serious injuries” were reduced by 76%.
“Suspected minor injuries” were reduced by 22%.
“Possible/unknown severity” injuries were reduced by 70%; and
The total number of crashes dropped by 9%.
Data from the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration says changing a two-way stop intersection to a roundabout results in an 82% reduction in crashes causing injuries or fatalities, while changing a regular intersection with traffic lights to a roundabout reduces fatal and injury crashes by 78%.
Here’s what to know about using roundabouts in central Pennsylvania and across the commonwealth.
How to safely navigate roundabouts
The most important things drivers should keep in mind when using roundabouts are to reduce speed and yield to pedestrians and circulating traffic, according to the commonwealth’s department of transportation.
Although data from federal and state governments shows improved safety through roundabouts, some Americans had a “negative response” when the traffic control method was implemented in the early 20th century, according to auto club AAA. This is likely because the original design had drivers in the circle yield to oncoming traffic, unlike how roundabouts are used today.
When approaching a roundabout, drivers should slow down and make sure their path is clear of pedestrians, bicyclists and oncoming traffic before proceeding, AAA advises.
“Things can get confusing in a multilane roundabout,” the AAA website says. “In this scenario, the vehicle should be in the right lane to turn right or go straight, and in the left lane to go straight, turn left or make a U-turn. There will usually be signs leading up to the roundabout indicating which lane to occupy.”
Motorists exiting a roundabout should be sure to use their turn signal, AAA continues.
