Driving Modern Roundabouts

Driving Modern Roundabouts teaches beginning drivers, or those new to driving roundabouts, how to identify legal and safe movements through a roundabout configuration. Produced in cooperation with the cities of Lacey and Olympia and the Washington State Department of Transportation, this video is a simple demonstration of how to navigate a roundabout for everyday driving and explains some of the advantages to using roundabouts in our transportation system.

[@craigtate5930]

Well this kinda illustrates my point of needing mandatory remedial drivers education, heck I didnt even know how to use these things before watching this

[@vongsakra253919]

Me either

[@FUNshoot]

+100! Too many drivers don't realize how much they've forgotten since mandatory driver education. We arm minors and juveniles with multi-ton missiles to drive in public and think nothing of it.

[@mr__music5719]

@@FUNshoot I learned in high school how to drive with roundabouts 8 years ago. Not that hard honestly.

[@tiomoidofangle102]

I've never driven in a roundabout but I doubt that it would take me more than 10 seconds to figure out how it works.

[@Leytonvaassen]

they are making bops like this in 2002 what legends

[@abbie645]

Yes

[@Dr10s]

This is one of the best explanations I have found, but it still has a couple of omissions/weaknesses. First, the examples and videos only depict low-volume traffic, and ignore what happens at intersections of high-volume roads during rush hour. Second, the depictions are all of roundabouts exiting exclusively onto multilane roads (the same number of entering and exiting lanes). This is not always the case. Some exits have only one lane, and this creates potential conflicts with vehicles in both the right and left roundabout lanes trying to exit at the same place. I assume that the driver in the left lane must yield in that case, but ignoring such problems oversimplifies things.

[@th5841]

There should be signs or road painting telling you which lane to choose. Typically left lane would be used if you cross the roundabout (3rd and 4th exit). The right lane would be as described in the video.

[@bobhope866]

It seems the 2 lanes in a roundabout is confusing for the uneducated driver. I've been driving 50 years and I just now learned the correct way to handle the 2 lanes.

[@HuyLy94]

Maybe because this particular roundabout doesn't have arrows indicating which lane you should be in. Here in Australia pretty much any multilane roundabout has clear markings which indicate which direction you can turn, if not the logic is both lanes can go straight, the left lane goes straight and left and the right lane goes straight, right or u-turn (since we drive on the left and traffic goes clockwise around a roundabout).

[@myearsgotyouthsystem8802]

There is a reason I'm watching this video too cause despite me driving and following the rules well in other roads 🛣, I was still dumb on the rules of the round about. This video explained perfectly and can't wait to drive on the round about confidently.

[@myearsgotyouthsystem8802]

@@HuyLy94 amen!

[@trevorwetzel7611]

Yes, you have to pay close attention for the sign, but I'm pretty sure I've seen roundabouts where the signs are absent. The interesting thing though is that they basically work the same as a normal intersection: you used the left lane to turn left and the right lane to turn right, while both lanes can go straight

[@24306529]

@@trevorwetzel7611 this. I wish someone had simplified the whole thing in these simpler words before i started driving 3yrs ago. Sometimes all you need is a basic info instead people keep explaining you the whole details without the basics

[@mraduldhakar8406]

Biggest omission is those turning left or right must indicate so that drivers in the roundabout can know that where the car is exiting.

[@mikemccann8822]

Very good! EXCEPT What’s interesting is that in Europe they expect drivers to signal when you approach the exit within the roundabout. You don’t mention to use signals. For instance: turning right you signal turning right as you enter the roundabout and leaving it signal as you leave. To go straight one doesn’t signal as you enter but as you approach your exit you signal right. Turning Left you signal left entering the roundabout but signal right as you approach your exit. This allows drivers know when you leave the roundabout whether the roundabout services 3, 4, or more exits. ALSO do another video for neighborhood roundabouts. Too many cars speeding up to be in the roundabout before anyone else.

[@dianeschenkelberg8270]

Why no mention of signaling?

[@john172867]

Roundabouts can be intimidating at first but are so much better than traffic lights.

[@peter1062]

If only they had build a bicycle path next to the pedestrian path... It really doesn't cost that much to get it right the first time.

[@annoyed707]

Sometimes it is mentality, sometimes it is because of space considerations.

[@maxf7351]

Just got my license again after 15yrs & they didn't teach this. Helpful vid, now I know what I'm doing wrong at the Jones Beach Pencil a few miles south of meh

[@Deadpool0210]

What if two cars are beside each other and the right lane car stays straight while the left lane car tries to turn off? Who should yield? I was taught that the left lane car is supposed to yield, but I've had cars honking at me. Are they the dumb ones, or is it me?

[@april-showers77]

I’d like to know that too! That’s the confusing part to me...

[@Deadpool0210]

@@april-showers77 Yeah all roundabouts should only have one lane to avoid wrecks. I mean they say that they prefer you to be in the right lane to exit off, but apparently either lane can be used to exit off

[@mr__music5719]

Depends on the how the roundabout was constructed and what the markings say. In your situation the person in the right lane has right of way since he's in the outermost circle. The left lane person would have to circle around and do another approach. However, at least where I'm from, most multi lane roundabouts have multilane exits and not a single exit. Just follow the markings on the road or signs and if you fucked up just go around again it's not illegal after all.

[@Deadpool0210]

@@mr__music5719 Well the markings allow both lanes to stay in the circle or exit off, so either way can happen

[@DC3Refom]

Then you need to be alert oay attention , stay in your lane check your mirrors , quick glance to your blind spot as your coming round off in next , pay attention to make sure that the drive next in other lane is not turning off into your lane also the out lane has priority if so then you may need to take defensive action , it's all about observations and planning hope that helps from the UK .

[@mba2ceo]

I programmed and RIGHT lane should ONLY turn right literally 11x safer. This allows easier merging especially for older drivers

[@yvrelna]

Depends on the traffic pattern. On intersections where there are only small or moderate amount of straight traffic and lots of right turn, dedicated right turn lane might make sense. On more asymmetric traffic, the double straight lanes allow more straight throughput. I think this video missed on the points that modern roundabouts should have signage telling you which lane to use for which turn. It's the traffic engineers' job to analyse traffic patterns to figure out the lane arrangements to use for a particular roundabout.

[@georgemeyers2396]

@@yvrelna I disagree with you. Officer Pierpoint specifically pointed out that there are signs telling you which lane you should use for which direction you are going.

[@jln55]

The big problem I see is trying to make a left turn from the inside line, while someone in the outside lane is making a right turn onto the same road.

[@dunkeydue6126]

The same road that you’re both turning into should have two lanes so both cars can go at the same time. The good thing about roundabouts is that if you’re unsure, you can always go around again.

[@elevatorfan125]

If you miss your exit in a roundabout, go around again until you reach your desired exit

[@JakeRoot]

I think this is a re-upload, WSDOT. Not to mention, the pavement markings are a little out-of-date with current standards.

[@rosex8054]

7:23 makes so much sense lol i wish i knew this before driving through one for the first time completely lost

[@hasimrawther]

Excellent video 👏👏👏

[@puppyseller3306]

Thank you, sir!

[@jadefox5285]

This doesnt explain wat to do when the traffic from one way will not stop coming. Do i just sit there for 20 minutes waiting for an opening? I thought the person that arrives first, and/or to the right has the right away?

[@Servergmr]

When people follow the rules, they work out nicely.

[@dishatto]

Is it okay to stop at the yield sign if there are several cars going through the round about? I was told you should never stop but I don’t see how to get into a round about without coming to a full stop if there is one or more cars in the round about and several following them to come in.

[@th5841]

When you are inside the roundabout you should never stop other than for stopping traffic in front of you. Could that be what they are refering to? When outside the roundabout you must yeald for traffic inside it. That, if nescesary, means to stop.

[@ThreeDee912]

YES! The yield sign means you can stop if you need to. The cars in the roundabout have the right of way and are supposed to keep going. Don't cut them off. The cars outside should yield (or stop if needed) if there's already somebody in there.

[@allthingsharbor]

Most of the time, you must stop or you will be hit.

[@iandeitchler9384]

Heck, I wish there were some around greater Seattle! Is fun to get to go through them when I'm in Issaquah and the Eastside. To me, with defensive driving and following the 20mph limit they aren't confusing at all. What your guy's "cars per day limit" for roundabouts of whether or not they can be installed in an area? Jc :-)

[@brendonhalverson5178]

I live in Tri-Cities, and for some reason we have by far the most in the state.

[@briane173]

Presumably because Kennewick et al has experienced growth at the same time modern roundabouts have proliferated -- which makes it possible to install them as part of expansion of infrastructure. That puts Tri-Cities at a distinct advantage over the older and bigger cities on the west side of the Cascades that are more established and incur tremendous eminent-domain costs attempting to replace signalized intersections with roundabouts or single-point urban interchanges. Be glad. They're far and away more efficient and cost-effective, and safer in the long run than signalized intersections.

[@brendonhalverson5178]

Brian E I assumed rapid suburban growth (and rapid growth relative to the existing population) was the reason.

[@mr__music5719]

@@brendonhalverson5178 Wisconsin has the most roundabouts in the US.

[@allthingsharbor]

People drive 20 mph in these things ? Where ? Not where I live !

[@marygegare1604]

These are a very scary and confusing nightmare for me.

[@portosssify]

They are because they have been created to not being able to follow them

[@rjbirmingham]

my community does well with single lane roundabouts but when a multi-lane was put in there were so many crashes they took it out - people did not get the concept of yeilding to the inside lane coming off when they were entering - it really is a lack of knowledge at using them - however, I am glad they took out the mulit-lane roundabout as I started going out of my way to avoid it because there were so many people crashing

[@meiktheroamer8348]

maybe you shouldn’t drive then

[@rjbirmingham]

@@meiktheroamer8348 I did not have the crash - other people did - LOL - just an example of how cultural norms affect driving habits

[@DC3Refom]

@@rjbirmingham it's observing , using your mirrors and a good tip if your coming off from inside lane , have quick glance in your blind spot before you turn off to your next , also check your mirrors again could save you others have an accident

[@jhondumaop1311]

Thing is there are drivers at your back horning at you who wants you to enter the roundabout even with vehicles inside.

[@jaunie8217]

Horning? Lol

[@jhondumaop1311]

Yes, it's like horny but in present participle = horning

[@4376ED]

There will always be ignorant drivers, where ever we live.

[@leeharris8250]

A lifetime of driving and now this - very confusing to older drivers and mainly because others do not slow down to 15 or 20 mph - kind of like a small race course at prime times of the day.

[@CoherentChimp]

After a couple of turns on a roundabout, it will be like you've been using them since you were in daipers. Right lane to turn right, left lane to turn left, and pay attention to the signs which will tell you which lanes you can use to go straight on ( right lane will always let you go straight ahead) It's roundabouts with three lanes and five or more exits where it starts getting more complicated. And then there's the super complicated "magic roundabouts". ( You can see videos of them on KZbin)

[@allthingsharbor]

@@CoherentChimp One lane roundabouts for four or fewer side roads work great, except for the speeders. Multi lane roundabouts are terrifying as the outer/right lane drivers either do not know the rules or do not care.

[@zorarose1526]

thank you for this video

[@ayyakio3964]

nice video

[@mirandawinners]

Best explanation ever

[@LtKedobu]

Thank you Dusty and the Announcer.

[@nita7061]

I hate roundabouts. Here in Georgia, these people often fail to yield and just plow straight through so they don't have to slow down for anyone. The roundabouts are one lane so God forbid if they had multiple lanes. It would be even worse!

[@4376ED]

Education, education.

[@JacobBax]

You don't hate roundabouts, you hate drivers in Georgia.

[@th5841]

"Me first" mentality. Well known in USA.

[@nita7061]

@@JacobBax I hate both actually.

[@allthingsharbor]

The city of Gainesville, GA is about to put not one but two roundabouts on hwy 60 roughly downtown. One intersection will have three multilane intersections folding into it, as well as one side road and one large entrance/exit for a sports complex in it. I am not sure but I think the auto body repair companies need to expand their operations. Perhaps they should just go ahead and put a police precinct in the middle of it. LoL

[@meenaparkash3366]

very informative video

[@Wolf_Gaming-o4l]

I already knew the rules of driving on a roundabout why am I looking at this video 💀

[@oldblackstock2499]

Because it's interesting. But not as much as Divergening Diamonds traffic flow.

[@deanray35]

The state I am in says if 2 vehicles approach at same time the vehicle on the right has right of way. I have seen the traffic back up when 4 vehicles approach at same time because everyone is giving the vehicle to their right right away and no one moves very fast. This seems to defeat one of the purposed of the round about. I have seen no one do this in other states. I have seen no training videos that say yield to right. I have only seen the yield to traffic in circle, turning, big trucks and emergency vehicles. ????

[@88balloonsonthewall70]

Roundabouts usually are exempt from that rule, since they often have a yield sign upon entry. The problem seems to be the drivers lack of knowledge not the roundabout itself.

[@domukas00]

4:12 He doesn't cut off anything, driver in a righ lane has a priority . Isnt it true?

[@melinuxf00l]

You cannot make left turns from the right lane at any form of intersection (roundabouts included) unless there are signs or markings specifically allowing it. Going more than halfway around a roundabout is equivalent to a left turn.

[@domukas00]

@@melinuxf00l Ohh, right, right! Thanks

[@thedogshow2010]

domukas00 I’m still confused the right lane car exited on the right tho

[@domukas00]

@@thedogshow2010 he is allowed to exit roundabout by driving right (1st exit) or by driving straight (2nd exit), but he kept on driving to the left (3rd exit)

[@bennri]

So a bicyclist wanting to turn left needs to bike in the left lane and exit across traffic??

[@boringperson-zb8vy]

Safer for them to dismount and cross as a pedestrian

[@peter1062]

They should use the dutch design: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fIOYnWdulM1oe9E

[@ps2064]

This video is super weird. In the UK where almost every junction is a roundabout, cyclists are taught to keep to the outside lane at all times to avoid this exact problem.

[@insoft_uk]

UK have a slightly different rule for cyclist, a cyclist making a u turn or taking the last exit can ride on the outer lane, the far left in the UK in the US that would be their far right tho I prefer going by the rule that applies to all, I find it safer and drivers know clearly your internet and think this UK rule needs changing for cyclist

[@TheMargie76]

The biggest confuser is you have to yield to the left.

[@th5841]

That is just a matter of getting used to it. And it shouldn't be cofusing, because on an ordinary junction, where you have a yield sign and you want to turn right, you only have to yield for traffic from the left. You only turn right into a roundabout, so same thing. No traffic from the right, either.

[@asparadog]

Correction: You have to yield to those already on the roundabout; not the left.

[@aprettycooldude6702]

Man i love jojo

[@ohdamn5586]

aprettycooldude I was looking for this comment lmao. A god amongst men

[@Leytonvaassen]

so do i

[@BobsGT235]

He forgot to mention that roundabouts are cheaper to install vs a traffic light.

[@petergilbert144]

Multi-laned round abouts are just stupid. I don't see how it helps traffic flow by that much. The biggest difference I can think of is people not knowing what to do with both lanes causing constant near misses and road rage. Also, why does no one at all signal right before their exit. Without signaling it is a guessing game of where they are going causing higher congestion.

[@petergilbert144]

Also not all of them you yeild to enter. For example the one in Plymouth NH entering vehicles have the right of way.

[@andrewbuchanan3380]

Ive looked around wadov videos and never have they spoken of turn signals. I use mine when i know someone would be confused what im doing, or exiting simply. Frustating as hell

[@MikMoen]

This screams of early 2000's company safety videos and it's hilarious.

[@lifevsua]

Дякую, корисно!

[@kennethmccann6402]

Why does roundabouts diameter are so wide and it is not good for big rigs. It's should make smaller diameter size.

[@MarkOfWA]

Smaller diameter roundabouts enable reckless drivers to charge the intersections without bothering to yield or even slow down very much. They are extremely dangerous for pedestrians already, but deadly when too small.

[@paulbaker3144]

Mark Buse Here in Skagit county I’ve witnessed far too many reckless drivers speed through small modern roundabouts. A pedestrian wouldn’t stand much chance. I hope they can put some kind of speed detectors and give these dangerous people automatic tickets.

[@88balloonsonthewall70]

@@MarkOfWA In most parts of Western Europe they put up speedbumps / elevated pedestrian crossings to make sure traffic has to slow down.

[@yvrelna]

That's why roundabouts have truck aprons. Truck aprons are elevated or painted surface that trucks can safely drive over, effectively making a smaller roundabout for them, while regular cars aren't allowed to drive over the aprons, making the roundabout larger for them.

[@georgemeyers2396]

@@MarkOfWA I am not a fan of roundabouts, but I can see that smaller diameter roundabouts actually encourage drivers to SLOW DOWN.

[@WilliamAlanPhoto]

2 lane roundabouts are a major hazard, and should not be constructed.

[@th5841]

Not really. The major hazards are the users and speed. Where I live we have plenty of them and they cause very few problems. Mostly just fender benders. People must know and practice the rules. And they need to cooperate to get an optimum flow. The speed must be quite low and you need to be able to spot and grab an opening to get in.

[@allthingsharbor]

@@th5841 Exactly, when there are speeding, rude, poorly trained drivers then roundabouts should not be built. That pretty much describes most of the USA. And these days, most insurance companies just total vehicles rather than cover expensive repairs. There are few 'fender benders.' They are all costly and disastrous to vehicle owners.

[@heatherbrown273]

Thank you!

[@MarkOfWA]

Smaller diameter roundabouts enable reckless drivers to charge the intersections without bothering to yield or even slow down very much. They are extremely dangerous for pedestrians already, but deadly when too small. If WS-DOT is going to promote this gimmick, then the state of WA needs to mandate minimum diameter rules based on traffic speed, and more safety measures for pedestrians.

[@asparadog]

Put Zebera crossings in?

[@allthingsharbor]

Yes, we have smaller roundabouts near me and people routinely drive through them at 40 mph or higher.

[@allthingsharbor]

Roundabouts only work if drivers appropriately YIELD per the rules of the roundabout. Sorry, but too few drivers are willing to yield these days. These things are a disaster in high traffic situations.

[@chaderic27]

Never had any roundabouts until they started popping up near Indianapolis. Never fails someone is honking their horn or flipping the bird. I don't feel any better about roundabouts after watching this video. Doesn't seem to be much useful content on youtube.

[@aungar2403]

I don't like these. I drive out of my way to avoid them

[@subpoena.]

how did I get here

[@dutchman7623]

This is really out dated! Not a modern roundabout because new ones are designed different, maybe remove this video and put it in the archives.

[@ilirhalili4712]

this is the worst explanation that I've ever seen ! This is a joke, there is no way people actually learned from this!

[@allthingsharbor]

Well, this video shows how roundabouts will work in Heaven, when everyone is considerate and obeys the rules. Here on earth, however, is a different story indeed.

[@virginiabosen1401]

Two lane roundabouts are the worst I hate them

[@spooky3669]

First learn to learn to drive! (practice)

[@th5841]

They are not the problem. Most likely the problem is the users.

[@victorjohnson7512]

real Americans demand their streets meet at heterosexual right angles. Furthermore, all intersections should terminate with binary stop and go signals. Just as moral as right and wrong...

[@thebrownguy79]

NO ONE YIELDS AT ROUND ABOUTS

[@th5841]

Probably not correct...

[@phoenixharvesters1373]

This is the United States. NOT Great Britain. This is for political "friendliness." We have bigger vehicles in the US. Especially 18 wheelers. We take up ALL turning lanes. Because an 18 wheeler was not considered by these engineers. If we don't take up all lanes. There will be an accident because of sudden blind spots. Plus. A 53-57 foot 102 inch wide trailer has a 50% chance of running up the inner curb causing unnecessary wear on the design of the circle. Not a smart design. We hate them.

[@Darrell40271]

I call them GI road monuments cost the government billions of our hard earnings that we all work hard for .There are better things to use our money instead of something like this .Each time I ride with wqorkers my boss relation on these monuments my eyes go out don't pay attention and when crossed my eyes are open didn't see any roundabouts at all like they don't exist

[@4376ED]

Just imagine, if the Republicans had been in power at the time, they would never have been constructed. We all know that they are the do nothing party. Think yourself lucky that somebody tried to modernize the America road system.

[@DC3Refom]

See yanks it's not rocket science lool also a tip for you American as you going keep checking your mirrors every so often , also if you inner lane of the roundabout before coming to your next exit , have a quick glance in your blind spot then indicate/ blink to come off could save you have been swiped by another vehicle on the outside lane.

[@Soul56293]

I hate roundabouts because there so confusing and I get nervous driving through them but this video really helps.

[@davidmorrison9457]

Amen!

[@KonradZielinski]

Ironically making drivers nervous actually makes the road safer, as nervous drivers drive slower.

[@nicolasblume1046]

How the hell are they "confusing"? 😂You only have to know one thing: yield to traffic which is already in the roundabout.

[@mr__music5719]

@@nicolasblume1046 Exactly.

[@isabellind1292]

It's okay to share your fears. They don't make these tutorials because everyone watching them has it down-pat. I have the same need for some guidance, lol! Good luck & safe driving.🌸🚗🌸

[@rockyhoutz4253]

I have a one lane roundabout near me and stupid people cannot understand how to use it. Only in America.