Roundabouts 101

In June, 2019, a survey by Quebec’s Ministère des Transports identified no fewer than 173 roundabouts, 67 of which were under the ministry’s responsibility. The circular traffic pattern is deemed safer and less expensive to maintain than traditional intersections with traffic lights. But North America still lags far behind Europe, where roundabouts are much more common.

Do not confuse roundabouts with traffic circles

Many drivers in Quebec still don’t know how to enter and exit a roundabout. Road safety experts at CAA-Quebec believe some drivers are confused because they are used to traffic circles (more common in Quebec at a certain time and in certain regions) where drivers already in the circle had to yield to drivers entering. New drivers may also feel anxious at the thought of entering the circle. Depending on where they live, they may never encounter roundabouts in real life, so have to learn about them in a driving course or on a simulator, if they’re lucky.

How to negotiate a roundabout

Here’s an easy-to-understand image showing how to negotiate a roundabout: which lane to use depending on where you’re going, who has priority, how fast you should be going, and when to use your turn signals. Watch out. You never stop in a roundabout!

Roundabouts: A big improvement

Roundabouts are here to stay, so you’d better get used to them. They are a great solution to traffic congestion. They have also helped improve Quebec’s road safety record because they eliminate right-angle collisions and force drivers to slow down.