Roundabouts

Cars driving through a roundaboutPhoto Above: Roundabout Intersection at Banwell Road and Mulberry Drive

What is a Roundabout?

A roundabout is a circular intersection that connects two or more roads. Traffic circulates in a counter-clockwise direction around a centre island, yielding to traffic already in the roundabout. 

How Do I Use a Roundabout as a Driver?

  1. Approach
    1. Reduce your speed.
    2. Watch for signs that may help you find your exit.
    3. Watch for people using the crosswalk, and be ready to stop.
  2. Yield
    1. Yield to traffic already in the roundabout that comes from your immediate left before you enter.
  3. Enter
    1. Enter the roundabout to your right (a counter-clockwise direction) when there is a gap in traffic, and you feel it is safe to do so.
    2. Continue until you reach your exit.
  4. Exit
    1. Never come to a full stop in a roundabout unless traffic conditions require it. 
    2. Use your right turn signal to let other road users know where you plan to exit.
    3. Exit at a slow speed.
    4. As you exit, watch for people using the crosswalk, and be ready to stop. 
    5. If you miss your exit, keep going around the roundabout until you reach it again.

How Do I Use a Roundabout as a Pedestrian? 

  • Cross at marked crosswalks only. You will find them before each road reaches the roundabout.
  • Use the sidewalk and splitter island to wait for a gap in traffic that allows you time to cross. 
  • Cross one direction of traffic at a time.
  • Never cross through the centre island.

How Do I Use a Roundabout as a Cyclist?

  • Ride your bicycle through the roundabout as a motor vehicle.
    Or
  • Walk your bike across the crosswalk as a pedestrian.

Why do Roundabouts Exist?

To Improve Road Safety

Certain types of collisions that occur in normal intersections, such as right-angle and head-on collisions, often cause serious injury because traffic is moving quickly. Roundabouts provide a safer way to direct traffic than intersections with stop signs or traffic lights. This is due to these factors:

  • Traffic moves more slowly through the intersection.
  • There are no left turns in front of oncoming vehicles.

To Keep Traffic Moving

Roundabouts can direct more traffic in less time than normal intersections. How? Since roundabouts do not have stop signs or traffic lights, traffic moves slowly around the circle. This means fewer stops and delays for drivers. 

To Reduce Noise and Air Pollution

Roundabouts improve the quality of life for people living nearby. This is due to these factors:

  • Slow-moving traffic makes less noise than traffic that must stop and start, speed up and brake.
  • Vehicles don't idle at stop signs or traffic lights. This means drivers use less gas, and fewer idling cars means less exhaust fumes in the air.

Information related to the proper use and functions of modern roundabouts is provided by the Ontario Ministry of Transportation in the links below:

Transportation Planning
1266 McDougall Street
Windsor, Ontario, Canada, N8X 3M7

Hours of Operation: Monday to Friday (excluding holidays) 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

For general information, please call 311. For detailed inquiries, please contact 311@citywindsor.ca via email.