Roundabouts

The Cottage Grove Police Department every year fields many questions and responds to traffic crashes in roundabouts. We find most of the time people just do not understand how they need to navigate the roundabout. Remember these quick tips:

Driving Vehicles in a Roundabout

• Look to the left for traffic.
• Yield to any vehicle already in the roundabout.
• Enter the roundabout when it is safe.
• Do not try to pass or drive up alongside large truck or semi-tractor trailers.
• Slow down.
• Watch for and obey traffic signs.
• Move into the correct lane for the direction you want to travel.
• Yield to pedestrians and bicyclists as you enter and exit the roundabout.
• Keep your speed low and stay in your lane within the roundabout (do not change lanes within the roundabout).
• Exit carefully to your destination. Use your right-turn signal, in front of the splitter island just prior to your exit, to indicate your intention to exit.

Driving Bicycles in a Roundabout

• If you are riding on the shoulder or bike lane, merge into the traffic lane before the shoulder ends.
• Signal your intent to move into traffic.
• Once inside the roundabout, don’t hug the curb.
• Ride close to the middle of the lane to prevent cars from passing and cutting you off.
• Watch for cars waiting to enter the roundabout, as they may not see you.
• If you do not want to ride your bike in the roundabout, use the sidewalk and proceed as a pedestrian.

Further Information

Learn more about the rules of driving a roundabout. To learn more about roundabouts and why they are popping up in many communities watch an informative video by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation.