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South Carolina driving lesson · General Driving

Roundabouts

A 2-minute lesson from the South Carolina course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.

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Read time
2 minutes
Course unit
General Driving
Checkpoint questions
4
Source pages
82, 83

A roundabout (traffic circle) keeps traffic moving slowly in one direction around a center island. Entering drivers yield to those already circulating.

Roundabout

A circular intersection where vehicles travel counterclockwise around a raised center island, and entering traffic yields to circulating traffic.

Handbook p. 82 ↗
Roundabout ahead
Roundabout ahead warning sign

Using a roundabout or traffic circle:

  • Slow down to enter; a warning sign alerts you to the roundabout
  • Yield to traffic already in the circle
  • Enter in a counterclockwise direction
  • Go to your exit, signal your intent, and exit
Handbook p. 82 ↗
Roundabout diagram
Right turn, straight, left turn and U-turn paths

Know the rule

Roundabouts are safer than traditional intersections because they eliminate head-on and high-speed right-angle collisions.

Handbook p. 83 ↗
Roundabout vs intersection conflict points
Conflict points: traditional intersection vs roundabout

Know the rule

Traffic in the circle has the right-of-way. Never enter against it or travel clockwise.

Handbook p. 82 ↗

Put it into practice

You want to turn left at a roundabout. Slow down, yield to cars already circling, and enter to the right. Travel counterclockwise past the other exits, signal as you near yours, and 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, vehicles travel:
  1. Clockwise around a raised center island
  2. In either direction depending on the lane
  3. Counterclockwise around a center island
  4. Straight through the center

Answer: Counterclockwise around a center island

Vehicles travel counterclockwise around a roundabout's raised center island.

Handbook p. 82 ↗
When entering a roundabout, you must:
  1. Always come to a complete stop first
  2. Proceed without slowing down
  3. Enter clockwise if turning right
  4. Yield to circulating traffic

Answer: Yield to circulating traffic

Entering traffic must yield the right-of-way to circulating traffic in the roundabout.

Handbook p. 82 ↗
Roundabouts are considered safer than traditional intersections mainly because they:
  1. Eliminate head-on and high-speed right-angle collisions
  2. Allow higher travel speeds
  3. Eliminate the need for turn signals
  4. Require no yielding at all

Answer: Eliminate head-on and high-speed right-angle collisions

Roundabouts are safer than traditional intersections because they eliminate head-on and high-speed right-angle collisions.

Handbook p. 83 ↗
Entering traffic in a roundabout must yield the right-of-way to circulating traffic.
  1. True
  2. False

Answer: True

Entering traffic yields the right-of-way to traffic already circulating in the roundabout.

Handbook p. 82 ↗
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