Q: I have wondered for years what the protocol is for traffic roundabouts? I always signal ‘right’ my intention to turn out of one, and usually signal ‘left’ to drivers waiting on the right when I’m staying in.

A: This reader probably takes more care than most of us do to be polite in a traffic circle.

We took this one to State Patrol spokesman Chris Webb:

“Roundabouts are still gaining popularity in the U.S. and are new to many drivers. Since the lanes in roundabouts are marked, it probably isn’t required that you signal to indicate your driving intentions. It is important that drivers pay detailed attention to their environment as there are a lot of moving objects in a small area. I am impressed at your multitasking talent of being able to drive, signal, turn and see many objects at once. The WSP is looking for talent like that!”

So signaling is an extra courtesy in roundabouts. Not mandatory.

But if drivers in my neighborhood can stop slamming through them without yielding to drivers in the circle, that would be great, thanks.

CORRECTION: We have removed the trooper’s mention of “yielding to the right” because of confusion that arose from that point that would lead to false conclusions about how to move through a roundabout. Checkout WSDOT’s guide to moving through a roundabout here. The point is, signaling is not required in a roundabout.

Here are past questions we’ve tackled about turning:









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Photo: Karen Ducey / seattlepi.com file Image 1 of / 13 Caption Close Image 2 of 13 Q: Can a bicyclist get a ticket for not signaling? A: Seattle Police Detective Jeff Kappel says, in a word, “Yes.” City law requires cyclists give hand signals to indicate turns. A ticket would cost a cyclist $103. less Q: Can a bicyclist get a ticket for not signaling? A: Seattle Police Detective Jeff Kappel says, in a word, “Yes.” City law requires cyclists give hand signals to indicate ... more Photo: seattlepi.com file photo Image 3 of 13 Q: When the stop line is set a good distance back from the actual intersection, am I allowed to turn right on a red light? A: Seattle Police Department’s Jeff Kappel says it’s OK, as long as there is no sign specifically prohibiting a right turn. Examples of these intersections where the stop line for cars is set back from the corner include Elliott Avenue West and Vine Street in Belltown (pictured), or turning right from 15th Avenue Northwest to Northwest 67th Street in Ballard. Kappel advises motorists to halt at the stop line in front of a red light and then, if safe, slowly proceed to the intersection and stop again to make sure the path is clear for a right turn. less Q: When the stop line is set a good distance back from the actual intersection, am I allowed to turn right on a red light? A: Seattle Police Department’s Jeff Kappel says it’s OK, as long as ... more Photo: seattlepi.com file photo Image 4 of 13 Q: Are drivers required to use turn signals in a lane marked left or right turn only? A: Yes, they are, says State Patrol Trooper Chris Webb: 'The law regarding the use of turn signals states that any “right or left” vehicle movement must have an “appropriate signal” before proceeding. Another words, you must use your turn signal, even if you are in a right turn only lane. Obviously using turn signals helps other drivers know, in advance, you intentions and movements when driving. This is critical at intersections where there are a lot of vehicles making a lot of different movements, sometimes at the same time.' When in doubt, switch on the blinker. less Q: Are drivers required to use turn signals in a lane marked left or right turn only? A: Yes, they are, says State Patrol Trooper Chris Webb: 'The law regarding the use of turn signals ... more Photo: Karen Ducey Image 5 of 13 Image 6 of 13 Q: My understanding is that you cannot use the middle turn lane to enter the roadway - only to exit. Correct? A: It actually is legal to turn into the center turn lane under the stipulations in part of section 46.61.290 of the Revised Code of Washington, State Patrol spokesman Dan McDonald said. Local jurisdictions determine how those turn lanes are used. Some other rules in the state law: "(N)o vehicles may turn left from any other lane. A vehicle shall not be driven in this center lane for the purpose of overtaking or passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction. No vehicle may travel further than three hundred feet within the lane. A signal, either electric or manual, for indicating a left turn movement, shall be made at least one hundred feet before the actual left turn movement is made." less Q: My understanding is that you cannot use the middle turn lane to enter the roadway - only to exit. Correct? A: It actually is legal to turn into the center turn lane under the stipulations in ... more Photo: Scott Eklund / Seattle Post-Intelligencer Image 7 of 13 Q: My friend assures me that it is legal to make a left turn on a red arrow as long as straight-moving traffic – oncoming and passing on the right – have green lights and there is no oncoming traffic. Is this true? A: “The key element missing from the question is that it must be onto a one-way street,” Bellevue police spokesman Greg Grannis said. “Onramps to freeways work this way, too. “But … remember there aren’t that many red left arrows out there. Most green arrows are the regular circular red light when traffic is oncoming. And you must yield to oncoming traffic.” Grannis said drivers also must make the maneuver safely where there are no prohibitive signs, and drivers have to come to a complete stop first – same as a right-on-red turn. “All things considered, Grannis said, “it’s a pretty narrow band of application.” less Q: My friend assures me that it is legal to make a left turn on a red arrow as long as straight-moving traffic – oncoming and passing on the right – have green lights and there is no oncoming traffic. ... more Photo: ANDY ROGERS / SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER Image 8 of 13 Q: What is the law regarding left turns across double yellow lines? A: It may be legal to cross a double yellow line, but it depends on the street. Trooper Julie Startup said she’s never seen a problem if people are crossing over a double yellow to turn into an alley, private road or driveway. “But there may be a problem if people are not turning into something,” Startup said. “Technically in that case you’re not allowed to turn over a double yellow line. “The double yellow line indicates designated no-passing zones that have reduced visibility or any other safety concern for drives that would be cause an increased danger if passing. Intersections would most likely be marked with breaks in the double yellow but private roads, driveways and alleys would be instances where a driver could turn over the double yellow." less Q: What is the law regarding left turns across double yellow lines? A: It may be legal to cross a double yellow line, but it depends on the street. Trooper Julie Startup said she’s ... more Photo: seattlepi.com file photo Image 9 of 13 Q: I have a friend who says it’s okay to turn left on a green light (solid green, not an arrow) without waiting for someone who is turning right at the same light. Her thinking is that since everybody is supposed to stay in their own lanes, it’s fine. I was taught that the person turning right always has the right-of-way, regardless of which lane they are turning into and should never proceed with my left turn until they are through the intersection. Who is right? A: State Trooper Chris Webb settles this debate. “You are correct,” he tells the reader. “The person approaching the intersection on a solid green must yield to oncoming traffic, regardless of which lane they are traveling in.” less Q: I have a friend who says it’s okay to turn left on a green light (solid green, not an arrow) without waiting for someone who is turning right at the same light. Her thinking is that since everybody is ... more Photo: JOSHUA TRUJILLO / SEATTLEPI.COM FILE Image 10 of 13 Image 11 of 13 Q: Can someone be ticketed for leaving their blinker on for miles? A: It could bring a driver a $124 fine, according to the State Patrol, but it’s unlikely. “I’ve never heard of anyone being cited for that,” Trooper Julie Startup said. “It’s not a very huge safety concern unless there’s something else that’s going on with it.” Troopers could use it as a way to pull over suspected drunken drivers, though they say a driver will probably get a warning if they’re just forgetful and not drunk. Startup said such action would technically violate the state law regarding improper signal use. less Q: Can someone be ticketed for leaving their blinker on for miles? A: It could bring a driver a $124 fine, according to the State Patrol, but it’s unlikely. “I’ve never heard of ... more Photo: GRANT M. HALLER / seattlepi.com file photo Image 12 of 13 Q: When I wait in line to get off Interstate 5, then a rude driver who didn’t wait cuts in at the last second, is that illegal? A: Not in some cases, State Patrol Trooper Christina Martin said. “You have to merge safely when you’re doing a lane change,” she said. “But not doing the last second change is more of a courtesy than anything else.” If a trooper or police officer thought a driver’s last-second merge was unsafe, “they could probably write them a ticket for improper merging or failure to yield,” Martin said. “But it would be a tough one.” Drivers can be ticketed if they cross a solid white line on an onramp into an area called the gore point, police said. “It can be wheels off the roadway, which is a $124 ticket," Martin said. "(Some troopers) will write a crossing a physical barrier citation, and that’s $411.” But sometimes drivers merge at the last second and there’s nothing illegal about it. less Q: When I wait in line to get off Interstate 5, then a rude driver who didn’t wait cuts in at the last second, is that illegal? A: Not in some cases, State Patrol Trooper Christina Martin ... more Photo: Joshua Trujillo / Seattle Post-Intelligencer Image 13 of 13 Do I have to signal turns at roundabouts? 1 / 13 Back to Gallery

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