Entering a Single-Lane Roundabout With a Cyclist Already Circulating
You are southbound on a two-lane road approaching a single-lane roundabout posted 20 mph. You plan to take the second exit, Elm Street. A cyclist is already circulating in the roundabout, riding near the right edge of the lane and moving at about 12 mph. A box truck is close behind you. A pedestrian with a dog is waiting at the crosswalk on your entry. The pavement is wet, and the yield line is faded but visible. Your GPS says “continue straight,” but the road sign shows Elm Street as the second exit. The truck’s turn signal is not visible in your mirror. You have a clear view to the left for about 300 feet.
1. Who has the right of way at the yield line, and what should you do about the truck behind you?
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Traffic already circulating in the roundabout has the right of way, including the cyclist. You must yield at the entry line and enter only when there is a safe gap. The box truck behind you does not change that duty; a tailgater is not a reason to pull out in front of the cyclist.
The cyclist is moving at about 12 mph near the right edge. If the cyclist is approaching your entry point, wait. If the cyclist has just passed your entry and there is enough space, you may enter behind the cyclist, but you should not try to pass inside the roundabout. Keep your speed low, look left and around the circle, and be prepared to stop again for the pedestrian at the crosswalk. The faded yield line is still a yield line.
2. You enter behind the cyclist. The cyclist is riding near the right edge and signals a right turn at the first exit. What do you do?
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Stay behind the cyclist and do not pass. A cyclist near the right edge may be turning right, but may also need to move slightly left to avoid a drain grate, pavement seam, or debris. Passing on the left inside a single-lane roundabout would crowd the cyclist and could force a conflict at the exit.
Increase your following distance, keep your speed low, and let the cyclist complete the exit before you proceed. Do not assume the signal means the cyclist will immediately leave the lane or that the path is clear. If the cyclist slows unexpectedly, you need room to stop without skidding on the wet pavement. The safe choice is to follow through the circle at a gap that lets you react.
3. At your exit, the pedestrian with the dog is now at the crosswalk. Do you have to yield?
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Yes. Pedestrians at a roundabout crosswalk have the right of way, and you must yield. A dog adds uncertainty because it may stop, lunge, or move unpredictably, so slow early and be ready to stop completely before the crosswalk.
Do not block the crosswalk while waiting for traffic, and do not wave the pedestrian across if other vehicles are still moving. Check your mirrors before slowing, especially with the truck behind you, and brake smoothly. If the pedestrian has already started crossing, wait until the person and dog are clear of your path before exiting.