Ever approach a roundabout and ask yourself, “How do I use this?”
Well, look no further, as the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure has published a how-to guide to follow.
According to the ministry, there are two main rules to follow when approaching a roundabout. First, look left and yield to traffic before entering. Second, move counterclockwise and to the right of the island until exiting.
Pretty simple, eh?
But many roundabouts have several lanes — like the one in Squamish located near Walmart — or may have other commuters such as pedestrians and cyclists who are passing through as well, which can complicate entering and exiting.
If a roundabout contains more than one lane, the lanes should be marked with directional signs before the intersection and with pavement markings. Vehicles should be in the correct lane the vehicle needs before entering the roundabout.
As for pedestrians, it is important to yield at crosswalks to let pedestrians pass through, then drive past the crosswalk and yield again before entering the roundabout.
Cyclists, on the other hand, have two choices.
Cyclists can choose to overtake the roadway, as if they are a vehicle, to pass through a roundabout or they can use the shoulder and shared pathway that the pedestrians use.
If a cyclist has chosen to use the roadway then it is important for drivers to treat them as cars, leaving plenty of space and slowing down.
“Be patient,” says the ministry. “And for goodness sake, no honking!”
Another interesting factor that comes into play with vehicles is how to signal when using a roundabout.
The ministry does not specifically cover signal use for roundabouts in the BC Motor Vehicle Act. But there are some relevant sections.
ICBC also has stated that signalling before exiting a roundabout can be beneficial to show other drivers your intention. As such, the following signalling rules are the best to follow:
- If you’re turning right, use right turn signal on approach and keep the signal on until exiting.
- If you’re travelling straight through, do not signal on approach and use right turn signal when exiting.
- If you’re turning left, use left turn signal on approach, use throughout the roundabout, then use right turn signal when exiting.
“This view is shared by other countries, such as the UK, and it is our recommendation. That said, it would be a victory in and of itself if drivers at least signalled right before exiting roundabouts,” writes the ministry.
Squamish is home to numerous roundabouts like the intersections near Walmart, in the Garibaldi Highlands and just outside of the downtown core near Pemberton Avenue and Fourth Avenue.
The ministry writes that roundabouts help reduce traffic congestion and can reduce the number of conflict points in an intersection, thereby reducing the severity of collisions. One of the very first roundabouts in B.C. was just off Highway 99 near the U.S. border.
For more information about roundabouts, please visit TranBC.ca.
Roundabouts got your head spinning?
— BC Transportation (@TranBC) October 27, 2022
We have a guide to help set the record on roundabouts…ahem… straight: https://t.co/Mqk00fyeNq pic.twitter.com/E6inOuh2ml
