What does the roundabout sign mean?

This sign appears on the approach to a junction you have not driven before. What should you expect?

A circular junction where you give way on entry and go counter-clockwise around the island

Traffic inside the circle keeps moving, so the whole design rests on entering drivers giving way. You enter by turning right and keep the central island on your left the whole way round.

This sign appears as you approach an intersection you have not driven before. What should you be ready to do?

Give way to traffic already going around, then enter and travel counter clockwise

Traffic already circulating has the right of way, so you slow on the approach, look to your left and enter when a gap appears. Once you are in you travel counter clockwise around the island, and you keep moving rather than stopping inside the circle.

This sign is on the approach to an intersection you have not driven before. As you reach the entry, who has the right of way?

Traffic already going around, which reaches you from your left

Traffic inside a Canadian roundabout travels counter clockwise, so the vehicles you give way to arrive from your left. The whole design depends on entering drivers waiting, because nothing already circulating is expected to stop. Look left, pick a real gap, then keep moving once you are in.

This sign warns you what is coming as you approach a junction on a rural road. What should you be ready to do at the entry?

Give way to traffic already going round, and enter when the gap is real

Traffic already circulating has the right of way, and that is what keeps a roundabout moving instead of locking up. You slow on the approach, look left at the traffic coming round, and go when there is room. Stopping when the way is clear is not required and it surprises the driver behind you.

You are approaching the junction this sign warns of and you want the second exit. What is the safest way to handle it?

Choose your lane before you enter, give way to traffic already circling, and signal right before your exit

This kind of junction works because entering drivers give way while circulating drivers keep moving, so a full stop with nothing coming simply backs up the approach. Lane choices belong before the entry line, since changing lanes inside the circle cuts across a driver you cannot see.

You are already going around the circle at one of these when a vehicle waiting at an entry starts to edge out toward you. What is the right response?

Hold your line and keep going, with your foot ready over the brake

Traffic inside the circle has the right of way, and stopping in there blocks every other entry at the same time. Holding your line while staying ready to brake keeps the roundabout flowing and still leaves you an escape if the other driver misjudges the gap.