Right of Way Rules
Roundabout right of way rules

Right of Way Rules at Roundabouts for Drivers & Pedestrians: Who Goes First?

Updated Oct. 12, 2020

Right-of-way conflicts are less common on roundabouts than they are at other intersections, as all traffic is moving in a counterclockwise direction and there are no left turns. This eliminates the risk of left-turn, head-on and 90-degree angle crashes, and makes right-of-way easy to establish.

  1. Right-of-way at single-lane roundabouts
  2. Right-of-way at multi-lane roundabouts
  3. Pedestrian right-of-way at roundabouts
  4. Emergency vehicles at roundabouts

The golden rule when it comes to roundabouts is that traffic approaching the intersection must yield the right-of-way to traffic already circling the center island. Most roundabouts advertise this rule clearly with “YIELD” signs posted at every entrance and yield pavement markings painted across the roadway. Keep in mind that the most common cause of collisions at roundabouts is drivers who do not yield right-of-way before they enter.

Most roundabouts feature pedestrian crosswalks prior to the roundabout entry point. As a driver, this means you must yield twice on your approach to the roundabout: once prior to the pedestrian crosswalk and once at the roundabout entrance.

Right-of-way at single-lane roundabouts

As you approach the “YIELD” sign at the roundabout entrance, look left to check for vehicles already traveling around the center circle. You must slow down and be prepared to stop and wait for a safe gap in traffic before merging onto the roundabout. If there is no traffic approaching from the left, you may enter the roundabout without coming to a complete stop.

While circling the roundabout, you will have right-of-way over traffic seeking to enter from adjoining roadways. Do not yield to allow other drivers to enter; stopping or slowing suddenly on a roundabout is prohibited. As you approach your desired exit, activate your right turn signal to communicate your intention to leave the roundabout. Having taken your exit, remember to look out for pedestrians at the crosswalk and yield if anyone is waiting to cross the street.

Right-of-way at multi-lane roundabouts

Right-of-way rules on multi-lane roundabouts are the same as those on single-lane roundabouts, though approaching drivers must yield to all lanes of traffic already on the roundabout. You will also need to ascertain which lane you must use, based on which exit you need to take. Having yielded to all existing traffic, you must merge into your chosen lane immediately and remain there until you exit the roundabout. This issue is covered in more detail in our “Driving through Roundabouts” article.

Drivers who wish to leave at the first or second exit must usually occupy the right-hand lane, while drivers staying on until the second or third exit should occupy the inner, left-hand lane. Signal your intention to leave the roundabout, remembering to yield to pedestrian traffic at the crosswalk beyond your exit.

Pedestrian right-of-way at roundabouts

Nearly all roundabouts have pedestrian crosswalks around 20 to 30 feet prior to each entrance. You must yield to pedestrian traffic using or waiting to use the crosswalk, as the right-of-way is theirs. When pedestrians are present, you must come to a complete stop prior to the first painted lines of the crosswalk or at the limit line. Wait for all pedestrian traffic to clear the crosswalk before driving on to the roundabout entrance.

Keep in mind that you may encounter pedestrians pushing bicycles at roundabout crosswalks. While cyclists are permitted to use the roundabout like other vehicles, they often take the safer option of wheeling their bicycles over the crosswalk.

Emergency vehicles at roundabouts

All vehicles – both on and off the roundabout – must yield to emergency response vehicles seeking to enter or exit the intersection. Emergency vehicles such as fire trucks, ambulances and police cruisers always have right-of-way when their sirens and flashing lights are active.

If you can hear or see an emergency vehicle approaching, yield the right-of-way by pulling over to the roadside and stopping until they have safely passed. Motorists traveling around the center island of a roundabout MUST exit the roundabout before pulling over, as stopping on a roundabout (or any other intersection) is prohibited.

Would you pass a driving test today?

Find out with our free quiz!

TAKE A FREE TEST

Like the article? Give us 5 points!

Click a star to add your vote

4.6 out of 5 stars based on 14 votes.

Read next

Right-of-Way Rules on Mountain Roads
Right of Way Rules 6 of 9

Right-of-Way on Mountain Roads

Right-of-way rules help drivers to avoid conflict on all our nation’s roadways, even lesser-traveled mountain roads. Mountain driving can be treacherous and does require some extra consideration. As a result, there are a couple of additional right-of-way rules to learn which relate specifically to mountain and hill driving.

Right-of-Way Rules for Emergency Vehicles
Right of Way Rules 7 of 9

Right-of-Way for Emergency Vehicles

The law states that emergency response vehicles should have right-of-way over all other road users, when sounding a siren or displaying flashing lights. In most cases, police cars, ambulances and fire engines will use both these devices to warn other motorists that they must yield.

Right of Way Rules for School Buses
Right of Way Rules 8 of 9

Right-of-Way for School Buses

Motorists have a responsibility to drive cautiously around school buses, whether the school bus has stopped by the roadside or is moving. The law in most states requires drivers to stop for stopped school buses which are displaying a “STOP” arm or flashing lights.

Review
Coordinating Traffic 1 of 2

Coordinating Traffic Flow

The term “traffic flow” describes the movement of traffic and interactions between individual travelers using the highway transportation system. In an ideal situation, traffic would flow in a continuous and orderly manner, to allow the maximum number of road users to move through a stretch of roadway in the shortest possible time.

Coordinating Traffic 2 of 2

Communicating With Other Drivers

All drivers must learn to communicate with other motorists effectively, in order to keep the flow of traffic moving in a smooth and orderly fashion. You cannot control another driver’s actions but if they communicate their intentions, you can adjust your driving behavior to avoid conflicts and disruptions.

Right of Way Rules 1 of 9

Right-of-Way Rules

When a driver has right-of-way, it means they currently have permission to pass over a section of roadway. Whenever two motorists wish to occupy the same section of roadway at the same time, right-of-way rules will determine who goes first. Understanding and respecting right-of-way is essential, as it allows road users to avoid conflicts which could impede traffic flow or cause a collision.

Right of Way Rules 2 of 9

Right-of-Way at Intersections

Drivers using an intersection must rely on right-of-way laws to determine who goes first. To choose a safe path through an intersection, motorists must understand right-of-way rules and learn to accurately judge the speed and location of other vehicles.

Right of Way Rules 3 of 9

Right-of-Way for Pedestrians

Conflicts between vehicles and pedestrians must be avoided at all costs. Remember that you must always yield to pedestrians on the roadway, even if you believe the lawful right-of-way is yours.

Right of Way Rules 4 of 9

Right-of-Way at Crosswalks

Pedestrian safety at crosswalks depends on motorists respecting their right-of-way, but that’s not where your responsibility as a driver ends. Remember that many pedestrians do not have the same knowledge of right-of-way laws as drivers. You must always stop for pedestrians crossing the road. This applies to unmarked crosswalks, marked crosswalks, crosswalks at uncontrolled intersections, mid-block crosswalks and crosswalks at intersections which are controlled by traffic lights.