Over the past decade and a half, traffic rules around roundabouts have shifted multiple times, and many drivers still feel unsure whenever a new interpretation surfaces. This piece reports on expert commentary that clarifies the current understanding of who has the right of way when approaching a ring road, a topic that often causes hesitation at the moment of entry.
In this summary, a legal specialist provides context on the latest clarifications. Sergei Smirnov, a lawyer with direct experience in traffic law, discusses the subtle nuances that determine priority at roundabouts. The aim is to help drivers in North America make safer, more confident decisions when navigating these junctions. The following points reflect the position as of March 1, 2023, and are presented to illuminate practical rules for both local and international drivers who may encounter similar setups in urban and suburban environments.
*Note: this material reflects the perspective of a legal expert and is intended to inform readers about the interpretation of traffic signs and priority rules.*
First, it is important to identify what has changed or, more accurately, what is no longer ambiguous in the rule interpretation. A key principle is the priority of the driver who is entering the circle from the main road. This establishes a clear baseline for who should yield and who continues through when there is a roundabout in view.
Below is a consolidated list of the entry rules as they stood on March 1, 2023, expressed in terms that can be cross-checked against sign configurations you may encounter in North American cities that use similar signage conventions:
- If the roundabout sign is accompanied by a main-road sign, the vehicle entering the roundabout from the main road has the right of way.
- If the roundabout sign is paired with a yield sign, vehicles circling the roundabout have the right of way, while entrants must wait their turn.
- If only the roundabout sign is visible, vehicles already circulating inside the ring generally retain priority over entering traffic.
- If a traffic signal is installed before the roundabout, traffic must follow the rules applicable to regulated intersections, including signals and turning lanes.
- If the traffic signal is not functioning, the priority rules revert to the signs present at the approach, namely the presence of a main road sign or a yield sign and/or a roundabout sign guiding the right of way for entrants versus circulating traffic.
Legal alignment of the situation
From a legal perspective, these rules provide a framework for determining who should yield and who proceeds. Practically, drivers should treat a well-marked roundabout as a shared space where clarity comes from the signage and the flow of traffic. When uncertainty arises, slowing down, scanning the approach, and yielding appropriately can prevent collisions and confusion for all road users. In many jurisdictions, these interpretations are aligned with standard traffic control devices and reflect a movement toward simplifying right-of-way patterns for drivers who may be unfamiliar with non-local conventions.
In everyday driving terms, the practical takeaway is straightforward: observe the signs, watch for pedestrians and cyclists, and adjust speed to comfortably merge with the circulating traffic. The overall objective is to maintain a smooth, predictable flow through the circle while respecting the primary duty of care that governs road safety for everyone on the road. This approach helps reduce hesitation and promotes safer decisions at complex intersections, whether in Canada, the United States, or other regions that rely on similar signaling logic.