Minnesota Roundabout Rule that You Probably Don’t Know About
Even though we have quite a few roundabouts throughout Minnesota, they still seem to baffle some people. But there's one rule in particular that I think only a select few actually know about. Are you required to use your turn signal when entering or exiting a roundabout?
I totally understand the pros of roundabouts. In this week's 'Ask a Trooper' article from Sgt. Troy Christianson of the Minnesota State Patrol, he writes that roundabouts "show an 89 percent decrease in fatal crashes, a 74 percent decrease in life-altering injury crashes and a 39 percent decrease in all crashes." The numbers don't lie, that's awesome!
He also mentions that roundabouts "handle high levels of traffic with less delay than most stop signs or signals."
The issue, though, is that there seem to be rules for roundabouts that not everyone knows about. One of them, for example, is the use of turn signals.
Are You Required to Use Your Turn Signal When Entering or Exiting a Roundabout?
I always thought that you should signal when exiting the roundabout so people know that you're exiting. Turns out, that's wrong!
Sgt. Troy Christianson says that you are no required to signal your exit from a roundabout. However, you ARE required to signal which direction you'll be going in the roundabout. What?! I never knew that!
He writes that you need to signal your intention to turn right or left within 100 feet or more of the turn.
I was today years old when I learned that I needed to signal when entering a roundabout, so thank you Sgt. Christianson!