More roundabouts added across Washington state. Here’s how to use them

Residents of many places claim that they have some of the worst drivers. Something about driving regularly in your home city exposes all the worst driving habits of your peers.

Many people have joined local community Facebook groups dedicated to this experience, calling out poor driving practices they see.

In fact, one of the most popular Tri-Cities-wide Facebook pages is “Tri-Cities Bad Driver Shaming.” It currently has more than 98,800 members. Spokane, Yakima and Thurston County have similar groups that are popular.

Posts range from pictures of bad parking jobs to dash cam footage of alleged crimes being committed. Some issues are more common than others, but roundabouts are often a hot topic.

While roundabouts are becoming increasingly common in Washington state, many drivers still approach them with uncertainty.

Here are some key things to know about how the traffic control system works, including recommended practices.

Roundabout safety in Washington state

As roundabouts continue to be implemented throughout the state for safe, simple traffic flows, there might be confusion about the rules of use for some drivers.

Compared to a traditional intersection, roundabouts can increase traffic capacity by 30 to 50 percent, according to studies by the Federal Highway Administration.

They’re also considered safer because of the reduction in speed, with most roundabouts dropping the speed limit to 15 or 20 mph, and the control over traffic direction. These factors significantly decrease the chance of a t-bone or head-on collision.

The Washington State Department of Transportation notes a few factors relating to the safety benefits of roundabouts. For example, without a traffic light to try and “beat,” there’s no incentive for drivers to speed up ahead of an intersection. By creating a continuous flow of traffic, drivers only have to stop if there is already traffic in the roundabout.

“Because traffic is constantly flowing through the intersection, drivers do not have the incentive to speed up to try and ‘beat the light’ as they might at an intersection with a traffic signal,” WSDOT states in an article on roundabouts.

WSDOT also cites studies showing roundabouts reduce injury crashes by 75% at intersections previously controlled by stop signs or traffic signals, as well as a 90% reduction in deadly collisions.

Driving laws in Washington roundabouts

So, what are the state guidelines for driving in a roundabout?

There are two main kinds of roundabouts, single-lane and multiple lane.

▪ Basics for all roundabouts

• When approaching a roundabout, yield to all traffic in the circle.

• Yield to bicyclists and pedestrians crossing.

• You do not have to stop before entering the roundabout if there is no traffic in the circle.

• Always drive around the circle, to the right.

• Do not stop in a roundabout, unless yielding to pedestrians or bicyclists.

• Drive 15 to 20 mph in the circle unless otherwise posted.

• If you miss your exit, just continue carefully around the circle.

▪ Basics for multi-lane roundabouts

In addition to the above guidelines, also:

• Do not change lanes while in the circle.

• Avoid driving next to oversized vehicles.

• Follow pavement markings and posted signs to use the correct lane for your desired exit.

• In general, if you’re turning right, use the right lane. Use either lane to go straight, and the left lane to turn left or make a U-turn.

If an emergency vehicle approaches while you’re in the circle, continue through the roundabout as planned, then pull over like normal.

A previous version of this article was published in 2023.