A 4-minute lesson from the Idaho course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.
Idaho uses several intersection designs that move traffic without traditional left turns across oncoming lanes. Each looks strange the first time, but follows simple rules: yield, follow the lane markings, and stop at the stop line.
Roundabout
A one-way circular intersection (aka rotary or traffic circle). You always turn right to enter and exit. Its usual approach sign is a warning sign with arrows in a circle.
Enter counter-clockwise and merge into the circle whether you're turning right, left, making a U-turn, or going straight. Yield to vehicles already in the circle.
If you exit the freeway by mistake at a SPUI, you can't go straight across to get back on. Turn left or right, find a safe place to turn around, and return to the correct entrance.
An interchange that temporarily shifts traffic to the left side of the road to give direct access to the interstate. Opposing traffic crosses at signals on each side of the bridge.
In a DDI, follow signs, signals, raised islands, and markings, and stop at stop lines. Going straight, you cross to the opposite side at the first signal, then back at the second. Turning onto the highway from the left lane, cross over, then turn left.
You want to go left at a roundabout. Slow down, yield to traffic on your left already circling, enter to the right and go counter-clockwise around the island, then signal right as you approach your exit.
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.
In a roundabout, drivers must yield to:
vehicles entering from the right only
pedestrians only
no one, since entering traffic has priority
vehicles already in the circle
Answer: vehicles already in the circle
Entering traffic must yield to vehicles already circulating.
