Simple Rules Help You Navigate Roundabouts

Get ready to add a new spin to your commute! Many stop signs and traffic lights across Western Washington are being replaced by roundabouts -- a change that makes some drivers nervous.

I've been getting lots of e-mails from people who don't know exactly what to do when they approach a roundabout. So I hit the road with state troopers to clear up the confusion.

Roundabouts: Getting around them is making some driver's heads spin

"They're a little confusing," says Colleen Berard, a Woodinville driver.

Every day, about 17,000 people drive through a Lacey roundabout on Marvin Road, but not Pat Reed's mother.

"She won't even come over here because of the roundabout," says Reed, who lives near a roundabout.

Trooper Brandy Kessler says there's no need to be scared.

"It's just a matter of getting used to the roundabouts and learning how to use them," Kessler says. "Once people learn how to use them it saves a lot of time."

The city of Woodinville predicts you'll get through the intersection at SR202 and 145th in half the time once construction is finished.

"It's a lot quicker than standing 25 cars in line; it's a lot quicker," says Kathy Whitwam of Woodinville.

Government statistics show roundabouts are safer than four-way intersections.

A Tow Truck company in Nisqually has noticed. Business has dropped off since a roundabout replaced the traffic signals nearby.

Mike Bressi of Nisqually Towing says, "The accidents I've seen in the past couple of years have definitely gone down."

So if you fear roundabouts, here's what you need to know:

Pick your lane early Start in the right lane if you need to go right or straight Approach in the left lane if you're going left or straight

Then stay in that lane until you go through the roundabout and exit

"The thing that cause crashes in the roundabout is changing lanes in the roundabout," says Trooper Kessler.

Finally, don't ever enter a roundabout if you're next to a truck.

"You should yield and let them through, and let them take both lanes," Kessler says.