Roundabout: Rules of the road [Wyoming Tribune-Eagle, Cheyenne]

Sept. 29--CHEYENNE -- Bonnie Legerski was driving to work last Wednesday morning when she approached the new roundabout at the intersection of 19th Street, Converse Avenue and Pershing Boulevard.

She noticed something strange.

A white, four-door sedan was going the wrong way through the roundabout, headlights pointing in the direction of oncoming traffic.

"I couldn't believe it," Legerski said. "I was thinking either someone doesn't know about roundabouts, they weren't paying attention or they were just having one of those moments."

Fortunately, that car made it through the roundabout without causing an accident.

"I hope it doesn't happen again, but you never know," Legerski said. "People just don't know how to drive in roundabouts. They could use some better signs around there."

Legerski's experience begs the question: How should drivers navigate a roundabout? What are the rules of the road?

Roundabouts reduce fatal crashes at intersections by 89 percent, injuries by 76 percent and total intersection accidents by 39 percent, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reports.

But roundabouts can cause confusion and potentially dangerous situations when drivers are unfamiliar with them.

City engineer Rob Geringer said once people have driven through the roundabout a few times, they will have a much easier time navigating it.

"Since (roundabouts) are new to the city; it's a matter of people taking it easy through there," Geringer said. "As people get more comfortable with it, things should go more smoothly."

The roundabout at the intersection of 19th Street, Converse Avenue and Pershing Boulevard can be especially tricky because it has two lanes.

Sgt. Steve Townsend of the Wyoming Highway Patrol said there aren't specific traffic laws that govern driver conduct within roundabouts. Instead, the normal rules of the road apply.

But he did offer some suggestions for safely navigating roundabouts.

"Drivers have to maintain their vehicle within a single lane," Townsend said. "But if you are in a two-lane roundabout and you have to change lanes, always use your turn signal."

When changing lanes, make sure to do so safely and without interfering with other traffic, he added.

Most importantly, before you enter a roundabout, make sure you are going the right direction, Townsend said.

At the new roundabout, the correct direction is counter-clockwise, or to the right.

Transportation departments across the country have compiled lists of safety tips for driving through roundabouts.

Those include:

-Always yield to drivers already inside the roundabout; never stop in a roundabout; and try to avoid driving next to oversized vehicles.

-If you are approaching a roundabout and notice an emergency vehicle behind you, safely pull over before entering to allow the emergency vehicle to pass.

If you are already inside the roundabout, do not stop. Exit the roundabout, then pull to the side of the road and let the emergency vehicle pass.

-If you are entering a two-lane roundabout, be sure to choose the correct lane. To go forward or right, use the right lane. To go forward, left or to make U-turn, use the left lane.

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