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Roundabouts vs. Traffic Circles
A roundabout is a circular intersection similar to the traffic circle previously used in this country. The major differences between a traffic circle and a roundabout are:
Yield at Entry
At roundabouts the entering traffic yields the right-of-way to the circulating traffic. This yield-at-entry rule prevents traffic from locking-up and allows free flow movement.
The entry and center island of a roundabout deflects entering traffic to slow traffic and reinforce the yielding process.
The entry to a roundabout often flares out from one or two lanes to two or three lanes at the yield line to provide increased capacity.