Roundabout in Oshawa

Roundabouts

A roundabout is an intersection where traffic flows in a counter-clockwise direction around a central island to several exits onto the various intersecting roads. Roundabouts can improve road safety, manage increased traffic demand, and help improve air quality by eliminating unnecessary stops and idling.

Benefits of a roundabout

Simplify decision making, as drivers only need to look in one direction for oncoming traffic.
Reduce the number of conflict points and eliminate the most severe head-on and left-turn crashes at traditional intersections.
Reduce the severity of accidents due to lower speed.
Reduce vehicle delay by allowing motorists to YIELD rather than STOP.
Reduce fuel consumption by eliminating idling at a red light.
Eliminate operation and maintenance costs associated with traffic signals.

Use of a roundabout
Action	Safety considerations
Driving	Slow down when approaching the roundabout. Yield to pedestrians within the crosswalk. Look to the left, yield to all traffic within the roundabout. Check left and right to find a safe gap and enter the roundabout. Within the roundabout, maintain low speeds and do not pass vehicles or cyclists. Give other vehicles plenty of space. As you exit the roundabout, watch for cyclists and pedestrians within the crosswalk. The "truck apron" around the middle island is for large trucks when turning.
Cycling	Experienced cyclists: When safe to do so, merge into the middle of the traffic lane before entering the roundabout. Ride through the roundabout using the same general rules as driving a vehicle. Do not ride close to the curb but in the middle of the traffic lane, so cars do not pass you. Use hand signals to signal as if you were a motorist. If you are not an experienced rider, consider dismounting and walking your bicycle on the sidewalk following the same rules as pedestrians to clear the roundabout.
Walking	Cross only at designated crosswalks. Look and listen for approaching traffic. Make eye contact with the driver of the approaching vehicle. Drivers are more likely to yield to you if your body language shows you intend to cross. Do not cross until the vehicle stops. When entering the crosswalk, maintain eye contact until you clear the vehicle. Cross one lane at a time safely and wait in the splitter island to safely cross the next lane of traffic.

Emergency vehicles

If you have not entered the roundabout, pull over to let the emergency vehicle pass.

If you are already inside the roundabout, do not stop. Instead, continue to your exit, then pull over to allow the emergency vehicle to pass.

Resources

· Slow down when approaching the roundabout.

· Yield to pedestrians within the crosswalk.

· Look to the left, yield to all traffic within the roundabout.

· Check left and right to find a safe gap and enter the roundabout.

· Within the roundabout, maintain low speeds and do not pass vehicles or cyclists.

· Give other vehicles plenty of space.

· As you exit the roundabout, watch for cyclists and pedestrians within the crosswalk.

· The "truck apron" around the middle island is for large trucks when turning.