It’s National Roundabouts Week and the City of Hilliard is celebrating 19 roundabouts in 18 years.
Back in 2006, Hilliard opened its first roundabout at the intersection of Hayden Run Road and Britton Parkway. Next month, the City’s 18th and 19th roundabouts will open as part of the Cosgray Road extension, providing access to the City’s new Recreation and Wellness Center, The Well.
Simply put, roundabouts save lives by lowering traffic speeds. Raised crosswalks at our multi-lane roundabouts lower vehicle speeds even more. For these reasons and more, the City will continue to incorporate roundabouts as a safe and user-friendly tool to ensure safety for motorists, pedestrians, and bicyclists.
While single-lane roundabouts are easy to navigate, we understand that multi-lane roundabouts may initially be confusing to some drivers. The City of Hilliard is committed to helping drivers understand the rules of the road at roundabouts.
There are three key rules to consider when navigating multi-lane roundabouts:
1. Check the signs to choose the correct lane: Similar to a traditional intersection, check the signs and road markings to choose the correct lane before you enter a roundabout. Typically, the right lane is for through movements and right turns, and the left lane is for through movements and left turns. But each roundabout may be different, so check the signs. Maintain your lane. You should not switch to the outside lane to “exit” the roundabout.
2. Yield to both lanes in the roundabout: Yield to both lanes. The traffic inside the roundabout has the right-of-way, so make sure you yield to both lanes before entering. A roundabout entry is not the same as a freeway entry, so resist the urge to merge.
3. Yield to pedestrians at crosswalks: Motorists must yield to pedestrian traffic using or waiting to use the crosswalk, as the right-of-way is theirs.
Remember, at all roundabouts it’s important to slow down, look left, and circulate counterclockwise.
Learn more: https://hilliardohio.gov/roundabouts/.
