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Your Questions Answered

people with questions iconAnswers to frequently asked questions

We appreciate you taking the time to learn about the project! Take a look at the questions and answers below by clicking on the question or the "+". If you still have questions after reading, please let us know.

roundabout sign iconA roundabout is a type of circular intersection that uses yield signs to control traffic entering the intersection.

Roundabouts are designed with curved entrances to reduce speeds and to reduce high-speed head-on, right-angle and turning crashes, which improves safety.​

​Oregon Driver Manual CoverIt's been a while since most of us have read the Oregon Driver Manual.

Here's a quick refresher on how you drive through a roundabout:  

  1. ​Approach: Slow down as you approach the roundabout. Look for signs to determine where your exit is located.
    Watch for people riding bicycles; they will either merge into traffic or use the sidewalk. When approaching the crosswalk, stop for pedestrians using the crosswalk in your lane.

  2. Enter: Before you enter the roundabout, you must yield to traffic inside as well as exiting the roundabout. Wait for a gap and merge into traffic. Be prepared to stop if necessary.

  3. Proceed: Once inside the roundabout, move around the circle until you reach your exit.
    Allow people riding bicycles that have merged into traffic the full travel lane. Do not pass a person riding a bicycle within the roundabout.

  4. Exit: Indicate your plan to exit using your right turn signal. Watch for pedestrians in the crosswalk and be prepared to stop.

​The circular shape of the intersection reduces speed. Additional benefits of a roundabout include:

  • Lower maintenance costs.
  • Increased fuel efficiency.
  • Lower severity of collisions when they occur, resulting in significantly fewer severe and fatal injuries.
  • Fewer vehicle and pedestrian conflict points than a stop sign controlled or signalized intersection.​
  • Improve safety.
  • Pedestrians can choose to cross one direction of traffic at a time and have a safe place to wait before crossing another direction of traffic​.
  • Promote lower speeds and traffic calming.
  • Reduce conflict points.
  • Lead to improved operational performance.
  • Meet a wide range of traffic conditions because they are versatile in size, shape and design.​
  • Increased likelihood of drivers yielding to pedestrians at crosswalks. 
  • Time for drivers to judge and enter a comfortable gap in circulating traffic.

​rear end crash iconThe project team studied all types of intersections to determine which treatments would work best. While a traffic signal may help direct all the directions of traffic and turns, installing new traffic signals can result in an increase in rear-end crashes. 

In rural areas, new traffic signals are associated with a 77 percent reduction in angle crashes, but also a 58 percent increase in rear-end crashes, which can be severe and fatal in high-speed areas. Traffic signals do not address speed at an intersection – roundabouts do reduce speeds. Often, drivers accelerate through an intersection to try to make it through before the signal turns red, which is dangerous.



​Combine farm equipment iconYes! 

We designed the roundabout so that the types of farm equipment frequently used by nearby farms can use it.

​pedestrian and bicyclist iconBicyclists can navigate through the roundabout like a vehicle would. People can walk on the shoulders of the roundabout and use the crosswalks to cross the roads safely.

ambulance iconDo not enter a roundabout when emergency vehicles are approaching. Pull over to the right. Allow other vehicles to clear the intersection so the emergency vehicles can move through the roundabout.

Never stop while inside the roundabout.

Instead, move through and exit the roundabout. Once you exit, pull over to the right shoulder and allow emergency vehicles to pass.

Learn more about driving through a roundabout in the Oregon Driver Manual​. 

According to the Federal Highway Administration, roundabouts are safer than traditional intersections. 

Locations with roundabouts can see a:

  • 90 percent reduction in fatalities.
  • 80 percent reduction of severe crashes.
  • 76 percent reduction in injuries.
  • 35 percent reduction in all crashes.​

​​​Roundabouts have 75% le​ss conflict points than traditional intersections. Conflict points are where vehicles might collide.

intersection type crash graphic