Q: When you approach a traffic circle and want to turn left, can you go around the left side of the circle or do you have to stay right and drive all the way around?

A: In most situations, you’ve got to drive all the way around the right side of the circle, Seattle Police spokesman Mark Jamieson said.

Drivers who don’t risk a $124 ticket.

According to Seattle Municipal Code 11.54.040, a code regarding illegal turns, “no person shall make a left turn or a semicircular or U turn except through an opening provided for that purpose in the physical barrier, median barrier, or no-passing zone line on any limited access facility.”

Jamieson pointed to code 11.53.080, which states that when there is a physical barrier, planted area or median island “every vehicle shall be driven only upon the right-hand roadway unless directed or permitted to use another roadway by official traffic-control devices or peace officers.”

Jamieson didn’t know how often people are ticketed for breaking the traffic circle law.

Here’s the complete text form 11.53.08011.53.080 about medians and barriers in divided streets:

Whenever any street has been divided into two (2) or more roadways by a physical barrier or by a planted area or by a median island not less than eighteen inches (18″) wide formed either by solid yellow pavement markings or by a yellow cross-hatching between two (2) solid yellow lines so installed as to control vehicular traffic, every vehicle shall be driven only upon the right-hand roadway unless directed or permitted to use another roadway by official traffic-control devices or peace officers. No vehicle shall be driven over, across or within any such physical barrier or planted area or median island, except through an opening in such physical barrier or planted area or median island, or at a crossover or intersection established by public authority. (RCW 46.61.150)

I asked this Jamieson question after a friend complained I was breaking the law by driving around the left side of traffic circles. I told her my driver’s ed teacher had no problem with it, and was sure I was fine.

We made a bet. Now I have to vacuum and wash her car.

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