How roundabouts work

Vehicles | Bicycles | Brochures | Videos

Driving vehicles in a ro​​undabout

  • Slow down.
  • Watch for and obey traffic signs and pavement markings.
  • Move into the correct lane as you approach the roundabout.
  • Yield to pedestrians and bicyclists as you enter and exit the roundabout.
  • Yield to all lanes of traffic on your left before entering.
  • 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, to indicate your intention to exit.
Navigating with Large Vehciles at Roundabouts

Watch for large​ vehicles​​

  • All motorists, including trucks and other large vehicles, approaching a roundabout must yield to any traffic already within a roundabout.
  • 2015 Wisconsin Act 139 requires drivers of smaller vehicles (such as sedans, pickup trucks, or motorcycles) approaching a roundabout, alongside or adjacent to a larger vehicle (such as tractor-trailer, bus, fire truck, or farm equipment), to provide space by yielding or slowing down, allowing the larger vehicles first entrance and space through the roundabout.
  • The law was passed in the interest of safety, as commercial trucks can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, and most larger vehicles have an expanded turning radius.

Riding 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, ride close to the middle of the lane to prevent vehicles from passing and cutting you off.
  • Watch for vehicles waiting to enter the roundabout, as they may not see you.
  • If sidewalk or a path is adjacent to the roundabout, and you do not want to ride your bike in the roundabout, use the sidewalk or path and proceed as a pedestrian.

Brochures - ​​​Using roundabouts and safety information

Videos
  • "WisDOT roundabout television commercial: Take it Slow" (00:30)