Illinois and Michigan Roundabouts: Myths and Mastery
Do you dread roundabouts? Does the idea of even executing a roundabout make your heart pitter patter? You aren’t alone. Read further for why many roadways have roundabouts and the 5 common myths about them.
What is a Roundabout?
Modern roundabouts differ vastly from older traffic circles. The older method involved a convergence of roads together in a center; whereas, the modern roundabout features a steady flow to prevent lock up, which was common with older traffic circles. For instance, people entering the traffic circle had the right of way, which caused significant back-up. The “through road” often cut across the circle of the traffic circle, which disrupts fluidity.
With modern roundabouts, people yield upon entry so that drivers in the roundabout do not get locked up. There are additional lanes to allow for merging and exiting. Roundabouts fell out of favor because of the older models; however, modern roundabouts are quite safe. There are several myths surrounding roundabouts that are still circulating.
Myth 1: Roundabouts Are Difficult to Navigate
Using a roundabout is similar to making a right turn at a red light. At a red light, the driver stops and looks to the left for oncoming traffic. If there are no cars present, the driver may turn right. Entering a roundabout is the same. A driver needs to yield to traffic that is in the roundabout and enters when there aren’t any approaching vehicles. The driver is then in the roundabout and may exit as needed, which is also a right turn.
Myth 2: Roundabouts Are Expensive
Costs to build a roundabout are nearly equal to what they cost to set up a traffic light; however, traffic lights incur ongoing expenses. Roundabouts do not need extra costs to maintain it save for asphalt or other minor patch work at a later date. Roundabouts are far less expensive in the long-run.
Myth 3: Roundabouts Are Dangerous for Pedestrians to Cross
Roundabouts are significantly safer for pedestrians to cross. In a standard crosswalk, pedestrians need to be aware of cars making right turns at the stoplight, and they need to pay attention to traffic that is coming from opposite directions. In addition, a crosswalk can be anywhere between two to five lanes wide. A roundabout has splitter islands in the middle of each crossing. Also, roundabouts only have one direction of traffic, which makes it safer for pedestrians to cross. In addition, since pedestrians have a shorter space to cross, drivers are more aware of them when they cross than if they were crossing a standard crosswalk.
Myth 4: More Accidents Occur in Roundabouts
Actually, less accidents occur in roundabouts. More accidents occur in standard intersections and streets than in roundabouts. 75% less accidents occur at roundabouts than at traditional intersections with lights. The reasoning for having them is to actually make pedestrians and cyclists safer.
Myth 5: Roundabouts Take Time to Navigate
Roundabouts save people time. They are steadily flowing. The most time people spend in commuting to work is spent at stoplights. If people had to use roundabouts to commute to work instead of stoplights, they could possibly shave between 10 and 20 minutes from their commute time.
Reduce your speed and be aware of your surroundings when entering roundabouts. Traffic already traveling in the roundabout have right of way, you must yield to them. Although you should slow down, you shouldn’t come to a complete stop. Stay vigilant for pedestrians who may be at the crosswalk—pedestrians have the right of way.
Tips For New Drivers Navigating Roundabouts
When selecting your lane in a roundabout, just think logically. If you are going straight or right, get in the right lane. To go straight or left, get in the left lane.
Over the past few years roundabouts are becoming more common throughout the Midwest, so it’s important to get comfortable with navigating roundabouts early on. For parents, this means making sure to include roundabouts on the route you take during your teens practice driving hours. It’s important they are comfortable with roundabouts before they can drive on their own. For teens, make sure to take it slow and check both ways for cars and pedestrians before entering the roundabout.
View this video for navigating a multi-lane roundabout, provided by WisDOT.
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Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between a modern roundabout and an old-style traffic circle?
Old traffic circles gave entering drivers the right of way, which caused frequent gridlock when the circle filled up. Many also had through-roads that cut across the circle, killing fluidity. Modern roundabouts flip that rule: drivers entering the roundabout yield to traffic already inside, which keeps cars flowing steadily. Modern roundabouts also include multiple lanes for merging and exiting, splitter islands at each entry, and design speeds in the 15-to-25 mph range. They're far safer and more efficient than the old traffic circles they replaced.
How do I navigate a roundabout correctly?
Slow down as you approach and look to your left for traffic already in the roundabout, which has the right of way. Yield until there's a safe gap, then enter without coming to a full stop unless necessary. Stay in your lane as you travel around, and signal right before your exit so drivers behind you know where you're going. Choose your lane based on where you're going: right lane for right turns and going straight, left lane for going straight or making a left. Watch for pedestrians at every crosswalk, since they have the right of way.
Are roundabouts safer than traffic lights?
Yes, significantly. Roundabouts have about 75 percent fewer accidents than traditional intersections with traffic lights, and the crashes that do occur tend to be slower-speed sideswipes rather than the high-speed T-bone and head-on collisions that happen at signalized intersections. Roundabouts also force drivers to slow down, which protects pedestrians and cyclists. The splitter islands let pedestrians cross one direction of traffic at a time, and the shorter crossing distance means drivers see them sooner.
Do roundabouts cost more to build and operate than traffic lights?
Roundabouts cost about the same to build as traffic lights, but they're cheaper to operate over time. Traffic lights have ongoing expenses for electricity, signal maintenance, and replacement of bulbs and controllers. Roundabouts need only occasional patch work and landscaping. They also save drivers time. Most commuting time is spent waiting at red lights, and switching even a few signals to roundabouts can shave 10 to 20 minutes off a daily commute.
Are roundabouts dangerous for pedestrians?
No, they're actually safer for pedestrians than standard intersections. At a traditional crosswalk, pedestrians have to watch for cars turning right from the cross street, traffic running yellow lights, and vehicles coming from multiple directions. A roundabout crosswalk only has one direction of traffic at a time, and a splitter island in the middle lets pedestrians treat the crossing as two short trips instead of one long one. Lower vehicle speeds in the roundabout also mean drivers spot pedestrians sooner and have more time to stop.
How should teens practice driving roundabouts before their test?
Parents should deliberately include roundabouts in the practice routes they use during the permit phase. Roundabouts are becoming more common across Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, and the rest of the Midwest, so a new driver who has never navigated one can panic on their road test or first solo trip. Start with single-lane roundabouts during low-traffic times, then progress to multi-lane roundabouts during normal hours. WisDOT publishes a helpful video on multi-lane roundabouts. Slow down on approach, check both ways for traffic and pedestrians, yield to drivers inside, and signal your exit.
