Roundabout

A roundabout (also known as a traffic circle or traffic island) is a road circle joining three or more roads. Drivers follow a simple rule to avoid crashes.

Movement within a roundabout in a country where traffic drives on the left. Note the clockwise circulation.

In countries that drive on the left:

At the island, give way to traffic coming from your right.

The driver goes round the island in a clockwise direction.

In countries that drive on the right:

At the island, give way to traffic coming from your left.

The driver goes round the island in an anticlockwise direction.

Types of circular intersections

There are larger roundabouts that can have two to six lanes and can have traffic lights. These can sometimes be found at motorway junctions.

Gyratory system

The term "gyratory" (for example, Hanger Lane gyratory) is sometimes used in the United Kingdom for a larger roundabout with unusual features.