Roundabouts
A roundabout is a special intersection. It consists of a circular through road with multiple side roads. The direction of travel is always counterclockwise. On roundabouts, the rules about priority and giving way are the same as on a normal intersection. Here, it also depends on whether there are signs or not, to see how the priority is regulated.
If there are no signs, then the rule ‘drivers coming from the right have priority’ applies. In that case, drivers on the roundabout must give way to drivers entering the roundabout. This is not common anymore. At most roundabouts, the priority is regulated by priority signs and markings on the road.
On this roundabout the priority is not regulated by signs. Drivers from the right, so drivers that enter the roundabout, have right of way over drivers already driving on the roundabout. This kind of roundabout is uncommon.
On this roundabout, the priority is regulated by signs (B-6). Drivers on the roundabout have right of way. This also applies to the separated cycle path.
At most roundabouts there are signs that regulate priority. When you approach a roundabout, then often sign B-6 is placed: ‘give way to drivers on the intersecting road’. Almost always, priority triangles are applied on the road surface as well. In that case, drivers that keep following the roundabout have priority over drivers that want to enter it.
B-6 - Give way to drivers on the intersecting road.
D-1 - Roundabout, mandatory direction of travel.
You should see exiting a roundabout as turning right. Therefore you must indicate direction timely if you want to exit the roundabout. You must also give way to all other traffic that continues to follow the same road (the roundabout). This includes cyclists and snorfietsers, but also pedestrians.
When entering a roundabout, you do not have to give way to the crossing pedestrian. After all, they are not drivers.
When exiting a roundabout, you must give way to the pedestrian, they continue to follow the road you are turning off from.
At some roundabouts, cyclists, snorfietsers and pedestrians do not participate on the roundabout. The cycle paths are then further removed from the roundabout. They do not circle the roundabout but bend away from the roundabout.
On this roundabout, the cyclists do not participate in the priority rules of the roundabout. They must give way when crossing.
The crossing cyclist must wait for the motorcyclist exiting the roundabout. The cyclist is not on the roundabout.
Where the cycle path and footpath or pavement crosses the road should be seen as a separate intersection. In that case, the cycle path is usually provided with sign B-6 and priority triangles. If you exit the roundabout, you do not have to give way to cyclists, snorfietsers and pedestrians.
A roundabout could also be designed as a roundabout with multiple lanes. Most new roundabouts are then designed as a ‘turbo roundabout’. This is a spiral shaped roundabout where you can, if you choose the correct lane before entering, automatically exit the roundabout at the right place. When doing so, choosing the correct lane is important. You often cannot change lanes on the roundabout itself.
As a motorcyclist you should pay extra attention here, the lanes are often separated by raised lane separators, a kind of kerb in the road surface.
This roundabout consists of multiple lanes. If you want to go around the roundabout three-quarters, you have to start on the inner lane of the roundabout and move to the outer lane about halfway through the roundabout.
This roundabout is designed as a turbo roundabout with multiple lanes. If you choose the correct lane before entering the roundabout, then you do not have to change lanes when you are on the roundabout itself.
On the road leading to the turbo roundabout there are often arrows applied on the road surface indicating which lane you should take for which directions.
Left
Left and straight on
Left, straight on and right
Straight on
Straight on and right
Right