A 3-minute lesson from the Delaware course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.
Modern roundabouts slow traffic and eliminate direct left turns—a major cause of intersection crashes. Traffic moves counterclockwise, and drivers already in the circle have the right-of-way over entering traffic.
Roundabout
A circular intersection that moves traffic counterclockwise around a central island, with traffic-calming design that encourages lower speeds.
A center lane for left turns (or U-turns where allowed) used by both directions, marked with solid and broken yellow lines and alternating left-turn arrows.
You want to turn left at a two-lane roundabout. Use the left approach lane, slow to 10–15 mph, yield to cars already circling, then travel counterclockwise and exit at your street.
Check your understanding
Read the question, decide on an answer, then open it to check the explanation. These are Roadwise study questions based on the source handbook.
When approaching a modern roundabout, you should slow down to about
25 to 30 mph
35 to 40 mph
10 to 15 mph
45 to 50 mph
Answer: 10 to 15 mph
As you approach a roundabout, stay right of the splitter island and slow to 10-15 mph.
