A 3-minute lesson from the Massachusetts course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.
Rotaries are much more common in Massachusetts than in other parts of the country. Traffic from several roads flows around a central island without a STOP sign or signal, so you must know how to enter, pick a lane and exit.
Know the rule
A rotary has YIELD signs at its entrances and a physical barrier (the Central Island) that forces traffic around it. Traffic travels counter-clockwise. Big rotaries are designed for traffic traveling up to 40 miles per hour.
Rotary: yield on entry, traffic travels counter-clockwise
Know the rule
Yield to vehicles already in the rotary (unless signs or police direct otherwise) and to pedestrians. Use your turn signals as at any intersection, and use your right turn signal when you're ready to exit.
In a multi-lane rotary, traffic may be on both sides of you, so don't leave your lane until it's safe. If you miss your exit, don't stop in the rotary: when it's safe, go around again.
Like a rotary but much smaller, with a smaller central barrier, usually yield lines and crosswalks. Its size requires slowing to 25 mph or less. Choose lanes by the same rules as a rotary.
A crash caused by drivers trying to be nice: waving someone through stopped traffic, or driving through when waved in. Oncoming traffic keeps the right-of-way no matter who waves.
You want to make a U-turn at a two-lane rotary with no lane signs. Enter from the left lane, circle in the inner lane, then signal right and move out to exit onto the right lane when it's safe.
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.
Which direction does traffic travel inside a Massachusetts rotary?
Clockwise
Counter-clockwise
Either direction, driver's choice
It depends on the rotary's size
Answer: Counter-clockwise
Traffic in a rotary always travels counter-clockwise.
