Driving around Traffic Circle / Roundabout
In South Africa we often refer to roundabouts as “traffic circles”.
A roundabout is a type of circular intersection that reduces potential conflicts between vehicles and improves the efficiency of the intersection.
Arrive Alive shared the following tips on its website:
To turn left (taking the first exit)
- signal left and approach in the left-hand lane
- keep to the left on the roundabout and continue signaling left to leave.
To go straight on (taking the second exit)
- select the appropriate lane on approach to and on the roundabout. If no marking on the road it is usually safest to keep to the left lane
- stay in this lane until you need to alter course to exit the roundabout
- signal left after you have passed the exit before the one you want.
To turn right (taking the last exit or third exit )
- signal right and approach in the right-hand lane
- keep to the right on the roundabout until you need to change lanes to exit the roundabout
- signal left after you have passed the exit before the one you want.
The rules for traffic circles in South Africa are as follows:
Mini-circles
Slow down and give way to other vehicles that cross any Yield line before you do.
Proceed in a clockwise direction around the painted island, without driving on it.
In the words of the official legislation:
Indicates to the driver of a vehicle approaching a mini circle that he or she shall yield right of way to any vehicle which will cross any yield line at such junction before him or her and which, in the normal course of events, will cross the path of such driver’s vehicle and that the driver shall move in a clockwise direction within such junction and attempt not to encroach on the mini-circle.
Roundabouts
You must obey traffic circle rules at the roundabout.
In the words of the official legislation:
Indicates to the driver of a vehicle that he or she shall move in a clockwise direction at the junction ahead and he or she shall yield right of way to traffic approaching from the right, within the roundabout, where such vehicles are so close as to constitute a danger or potential danger.
