Q: Norm Hovsepian of Temecula asked a question about roundabouts, specifically the roundabout on Campanula Way located behind the Staples/Home Depot shopping area, off Highway 79 near Rubio’s restaurant.
“Since this roundabout has two entrances (south and north) that are from a parking lot and an apartment complex, I know drivers must still yield to vehicles that are already in the roundabout, but would cars entering it still have to yield if they see cars approaching on Campanula?” he asked.
A: Sgt. Joseph Sinz from the Temecula Police Department, Southwest Station, helped by providing information about how to use roundabouts in a safe and legal manner.
First, this is what the California Department of Motor Vehicles Driver’s Handbook says:
1. Slow down as you approach.
2. Yield to all traffic already in the roundabout.
3. Enter heading to the right when there is a big enough gap in traffic to merge safely.
4. Watch for signs and lane markings that guide you.
5. Travel in counter-clockwise direction. Do not stop or pass.
6. Signal when you change lanes or exit.
7. If you miss your exit, continue around until you return to your exit.
And here’s Sinz’s guidance:
Drivers must yield to traffic in the roundabout and this extends to any vehicle with which a driver’s entrance would interfere, Sinz said. So the answer to our reader’s question is yes.
“All vehicles should be slowing to 15-18 mph (often posted at approach to intersection) before entering the roundabout. I would personally note that safety should be paramount in all our decisions on the roadway. Attempting to beat another car into any intersection is a fool’s errand and courteous driving will be a better choice,” he said.
Sinz noted that few drivers use signals in a roundabout, as suggested by the DMV. “Signaling your exit allows those waiting to enter to see your intent and help decide when to enter. This will smooth the process at busy roundabouts,” he said.
Several California Vehicle codes also can be considered, Sinz said. They include CVC section 21803, which says, “(a) The driver of any vehicle approaching any intersection which is controlled by a yield right-of-way sign shall, upon arriving at the sign, yield the right-of-way to any vehicles which have entered the intersection, or which are approaching on the intersecting highway close enough to constitute an immediate hazard, and shall continue to yield the right-of-way to those vehicles until he or she can proceed with reasonable safety. (b) A driver having yielded as prescribed in subdivision (a) may proceed to enter the intersection, and the drivers of all other approaching vehicles shall yield the right-of-way to the vehicle entering or crossing the intersection.”
In addition, CVC section 21804 says the driver of any vehicle about to enter or cross a highway shall yield the right-of-way to all traffic … and shall continue to yield the right-of-way to that traffic until they can proceed with reasonable safety.
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