Traffic Circles – No Fun being Frustrated!
Traffic Circles – No Fun being Frustrated!
I’m sure most of you have had your blood boiling while navigating around one of the traffic circles in Paarl because other motorists have no clue on how to use a traffic circle properly.
The signage at our Roundabouts is also confusing. In Paarl we have the signs for Mini Traffic Circles at our Major traffic circles and then we have another “unofficial sign” which tries to explain to people what to do. Perhaps our traffic authorities in Paarl can should give us clarity on this issue.
Look to the Right and Use Your Common Sense!
You’ll be even more surprised to learn that South African traffic law is not specific about what should happen in a Traffic Circle or Roundabout!
We have many Mini Traffic Circles in Paarl and they do not generally cause any problems for motorists.
We do have two major Roundabouts which do cause frustration on a daily basis because people mainly do not use common sense – let alone follow the basic rules!
There are two general rules regarding the use of any kind of Traffic Circle:
Look to the right and Use Your Common Sense!
A Traffic Circle is a junction with an island in the centre of it. The island is intended to assist with traffic flow by causing traffic to travel around it in a clockwise direction before continuing either straight ahead or turning off into one of the other intersecting roads. Traffic circles also reduce the likelihood of head-on and broadside collisions because of the angles of the vehicles as they travel through the junction from a mini-circle, as is explained below.
Two kinds of Traffic Circles
There are two categories of traffic circles; they are called Roundabouts and Mini-Circles. Each of these has its own type of regulatory road sign and road markings, and its own set of rules. Some traffic circles are also controlled by traffic lights.
Mini Circles
Yield at Mini-Circle – a Regulatory ‘Control’ sign
This is usually at a small urban or suburban intersection controlled by:
- a mini-circle regulatory road sign, as shown on the right
- a Yield line at each intersecting road, and
- a yellow and white small painted island in the centre of the intersection – usually in the form of a raised hump.
The Rules
- Vehicles must enter the intersection in the same sequence in which they arrived at the Yield line before the circle. i.e. Do not cross the Yield line until any vehicle that arrived at their Yield line before you arrived at yours has moved off.
- If you do not intend proceeding straight ahead, as you approach the Yield sign/marking indicate your intention to turn left or right. If you intend continuing straight ahead, no signal should be given.
- If continuing straight ahead or turning right, move in a clockwise direction around the centre painted mini-island.
- Do not drive over the painted island.
- Trucks may have difficulty with this, so the rule is more rigidly applied to light motor vehicles and motorcycles.
Traffic Circles or Roundabout
Roundabout – a Regulatory ‘Command’ sign
The following explains the road signs and markings that should appear at the different types of traffic circles, along with the rules and driving procedures that apply for each.
Roundabouts
- A Roundabout is a larger kind of traffic circle.
- Some roundabouts have several lanes around the centre island, indicated by painted lane lines
Priority Roads
At some roundabouts, you may see a Priority Road information sign as you approach. This means that the road you are travelling on has priority over traffic already within the circle. Therefore, YOU have the right of way and traffic already in the circle must give way to YOU, instead of the usual Roundabout rule applying. Nevertheless, drive cautiously because those drivers in the traffic circle may not be alert enough to realise that they must give way to you.
General rules for Roundabouts
If you intend taking the first exit, indicate left on your approach to the roundabout intersection.
- Before entering the roundabout/traffic circle, give way to traffic already in the circle and approaching from your right.
- Move in a clockwise direction within the traffic circle.
- Before changing lanes, check in the mirrors and applicable blind spot that it is safe to signal, and then check again that it is safe to move into the next lane, before doing so.
- To exit the circle at any exit after the first one, indicate to the left after you pass the road before the one at which you intend to exit the circle.
- Once you have indicated to leave the circle, you must leave at the very next exit.
To exit the circle at any exit after the first one, indicate to the left after you pass the road before the one at which you intend to exit the circle.
Entering a roundabout from a multi-lane approach road
- If you intend turning left at the first intersecting road, try to enter the roundabout from the left lane of the road you are travelling on.
- If you intend turning left at any other exit, you can enter the roundabout from any lane in the approaching road.
Driving round the centre island:
- If you are in the left or centre lane of the traffic circle, look out for vehicles on your right – next to or ahead of you – that are indicating left, and give way to them where it is safe to do so.
Changing lanes to leave a multi-lane roundabout:
- If you are in the inside lane (next to the island) you will need to cross over to one of the other (left or centre) lane/s in order to leave the circle.
- Before signalling left, check in the mirrors and left blind spot to ensure that it is safe to signal and change lanes.
- If it is safe to change lanes, signal your intention.
- Before turning the steering to change lanes, check in the mirrors and blind spots again.
- If it is still safe to change lanes, move across to the left.
- Sometimes – when it is not safe to change lanes – it may be necessary to drive all the way round the island again in order to wait for a gap and thereby maintain a clear space around your vehicle at all times so as to minimise the risk of a collision.
Leaving the roundabout – when to signal left
- Don’t signal left until you have passed the road before the one at which you want to leave the roundabout.
- Once you have signalled left to leave the roundabout, you must leave that the very next exit.
Once you have signalled left to leave the roundabout, you must leave at the very next exit.
Next time you approach one of the Roundabouts remember: If you want to exit left then try to be in the left lane and if you want to go straight then try to be in the inside lane.
You should not be in the outside lane and drive right around to exit at the 3rd exit. Get into the correct lane when you enter the circle.
Thanks to Gavin Hoole, author of South Africa’s biggest-selling preparation manuals since the nineteen eighties for both the learner’s licence and driving licence tests, and a listed independent Expert at ArriveAlive.co.za who provided us with some basic information about how to use a Traffic Circle and also allowed us to use his website articles. Visit his website if you need any information regarding the K53 tests or any information relating to the traffic rules. http://k53.gavinhoole.ws