As the kids’ song goes: The wheels on the bus go ‘round and ‘round, ‘round and ‘round, ‘round and ‘round …” And that’s what we will be doing very soon as the McTavish interchange opens. We get a triple treat with not just one roundabout — not even two — we get three.
There is no doubt whatsoever that traffic roundabouts/islands work. They keep the traffic moving but they will only work if they are used correctly. I am fortunate as many others are because I was brought up with them in England but there are many people who possibly have not seen one before or if they have, not many.
For months now I have been advocating for more traffic roundabout/island education, and have been successful in a small way with ICBC putting out television commercials. The Ministry of Transportation do have some diagrams and a virtual tour on their website, these are also on the Town of Sidney website.
However, there is a distinct lack of information on signaling and road positioning. New drivers will find limited information in the New Drivers Guide, but where does that leave us — dare I say — more mature drivers?
What I can do is ask everyone to adopt traffic roundabout/ island procedures as laid out in the British Highway Code because they are tried and tested and do work. I have amended parts where it refers to road positioning as in England they drive on the wrong side of the road!
On approaching a roundabout take notice and act on all the information available to you, which include traffic signs, traffic lights (if any) and in particular lane markings which direct you into the correct lane. Decide as early as possible which exit you need to take. Give an appropriate signal (see signals and positioning below) but time your signal so as not to confuse other road users. Get into the correct lane. Adjust your speed and position to fit in with traffic conditions. Be aware of the speed and position of all traffic around you.
When reaching the roundabout you should give priority to traffic from your left unless directed otherwise by signs, road markings or traffic lights (if any). Check whether road marking allows you to enter the roundabout without giving way. If so, proceed, but still look to the left before joining. Watch out for other vehicles already on the roundabout as they may not be signaling correctly, or, at all. Look forward before moving off to make sure the traffic in front of you has moved off.
Signals and position, unless signs or markings indicate otherwise. When taking the first exit, signal right and approach in the right hand lane. Keep right on the roundabout and continue signaling right to leave.
When taking any intermediate exit do not signal on the approach to the roundabout. Approach in the right hand lane or centre lane on a three lane road. Stay in this lane until you need to alter course to exit the roundabout. Signal right after you have passed the exit before the one you want.
When taking the last exit or going full circle, signal left and approach in the left hand lane. Keep left on the roundabout until you need to change lanes to exit the roundabout. Signal right after you have passed the exit before you want.
When there are three lanes at the entrance to a roundabout use the most appropriate lane and approach through it.
In all cases watch out for and give plenty of room to pedestrians who may be crossing the approach and exit roads; traffic crossing in front of you on the roundabout, especially vehicles intending to leave at the next exit; traffic which may be straddling lanes or positioned incorrectly; motorcyclists; cyclists who may be on the roundabout; long vehicles which might have to take a different course approaching or, who are already on the roundabout, because of their length. Watch out for their signals.
Remember where you have more than one roundabout such as the McTavish interchange, treat each roundabout separately and follow the same rules.
I hope that the information is of help to everyone, but remember these are not Canadian rules and are only offered to help understand the roundabout procedure.
My experience when using the roads close to the airport is that nearly everyone seems to be in a hurry, but please remember this interchange is going to be challenging to us all.
I guess when we all get used to the new interchange we will all have a new circle of friends. Be safe, drive safe and be courteous to other road users and pedestrians.
Kenny Podmore is a councillor with the Town of Sidney and a former driving instructor in the UK.
