Roundabout 101: Why they’re safer than lights, and how to follow the traffic circle rules — and use those signals

(Update: Adding video and comments from ODOT, Bend residents)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- With the increasing number of roundabouts being installed in Bend and around Central Oregon, Matthew Draxton looked into how the traffic circles provide a safer traffic flow -- and how the rules of the road apply to roundabouts.

Roundabout etiquette issues -- such as signaling when you're turning out of one -- is a common discussion/debate topic on places like Reddit's Bend subreddit and other online and in-person ... circles.

Bend resident Lily Miller said, "I think it’s something to get used to, a lot of people don’t like. Some people don’t come from roundabouts, and so it's something to navigate."

Whether drivers like them or not - Oregon's Department of Transportation and the city of Bend rely on roundabouts for maintaining traffic flow, which includes pedestrians and cyclists.  

ODOT Region 4 Public Information Officer Kacey Davey said, "They increase fuel efficiency, because you're not idling in traffic as long, stopped at a at a traffic light. And there's a lower severity of crashes, when crashes do occur.”

 According to Davey, roundabouts have reduced fatal crashes almost 90%. They have reduced injury crashes about 75%  and cut down any type of crash by 35%. However, despite this, local drivers still experience confusion. 

Bend resident Less Scully said, "I've seen multiple people stop in the middle of the roundabout, coming around. They don't yield, they do yield, they change lanes. And if they look -- roundabout etiquette is very easy. 

With more than 50 roundabouts already in Bend, knowing the rules of the road is vital to safety. ODOT makes learning the rules easy through its outreach educational campaign which includes 'roundabout rodeos', where semi-trucks can practice and test out the infrastructure. They also create 3D rendered videos to show how traffic will be able to move through roundabouts. 

Davey said, "Remember that you need to signal before you exit the roundabout, to let people know that you're leaving and let the people coming in know that you're exiting. If you're in a more than one-lane roundabout, don't try to pass or overtake vehicles in the roundabout, and you should be entering the roundabout in the lane that you need to exit."

As you approach a roundabout, remember cars in the roundabout have the right of way over those entering, as well as watch for pedestrians crossing. Avoid passing any large trucks in a roundabout, as it's illegal, and they often need to take multiple lanes. If there are multiple lanes within the roundabout, do not change lanes, as that could cause a collision with drivers entering the roundabout. 

Scully said, "Roundabouts are great! I think it keeps the flow of traffic going. I think that there are people that maybe - and especially if they're (from) out of state, they don't know how to use a roundabout, that they might not have them in their state. So, I guess review the DMV manual about what to do."

Bend Police reports 17 citations this past month regarding roundabouts, having to do mostly with speed. Roundabouts are now included as part of the Oregon Drivers Manual, allowing new drivers early exposure to the traffic flow rules. 

Here's a recent ODOT FAQ sheet about roundabouts - what to know, and the rules to follow: