Roundabouts — Texas Permit Test

A modern roundabout is a one-way circular intersection where traffic flows counter clockwise around a center island.

Everything moves the same way round, so no two paths cross head-on. That is where the safety comes from.

A modern roundabout is a one-way, circular intersection where traffic flows counter clockwise around a center island

Modern roundabouts use yield signs rather than traffic lights to control vehicles entering the intersection.

Nobody stops unless they have to, so the traffic keeps trickling through. That is what makes it quicker than a signal.

Modern roundabouts use yield signs rather than traffic lights to control vehicles entering the intersection

A modern roundabout has only eight potential conflict points, against 32 at a traditional four-way signalized intersection.

A conflict point is a place two paths can cross. Cutting them from 32 to 8 is the whole design.

eight potential conflict points, opposed to a traditional “four-way” signalized intersection which has 32 potential conflict points

To drive a modern roundabout a driver slows down on approach, yields to traffic already in the circle, enters and follows the loop counter clockwise, then makes a right turn to exit.

Every exit from a roundabout is a right turn, whichever way you came in. Thinking of it that way makes the signal obvious.

already in the circle, enter the circle and follow the loop in a counter clockwise direction, and then make a right turn to exit the roundabout.

Modern roundabouts reduce severe crashes at intersections by an average of 80 percent.

The crashes that remain are side-swipes at low speed rather than head-on. That is what the figure is measuring.

Modern roundabouts reduce severe crashes at intersections by an average of 80%

Approaching a multi-lane roundabout a driver observes the advance lane movement sign to choose the correct entry lane, and does not change lanes while in the circle.

The lane you enter decides the exit you can take. Changing inside the circle cuts across somebody committed to their own exit.

do not change lanes while driving in the circle

A driver should give space to large vehicles such as semitrailers, buses, and fire trucks that need more than one lane to drive around the circle.

A long vehicle sweeps across both lanes going round. Sitting beside it leaves nowhere for it to go.

give space for large vehicles, such as semitrailers, buses, and fire trucks that need more than one lane when driving around the circle

A driver should pull over for an emergency vehicle on the approaches and exits of a roundabout, but should clear the circle first rather than stopping inside it.

A car stopped in the circle blocks every exit at once. Clearing it first is what opens the way.

not stop for emergency vehicles in the roundabout circle. Clear the circle first and then pull over for the emergency vehicle

Which way does traffic flow in a Texas modern roundabout?

Counter clockwise around a center island. Everything moves the same way round, so no two paths cross head-on. That is where the safety comes from. Texas Driver Handbook, p.49: “A modern roundabout is a one-way, circular intersection where traffic flows counter clockwise around a center island”