Rules of the roundabout
Evening traffic at the new roundabout at Monarch Boulevard and Buffalo Trail.
The single-lane roundabout on Monarch Boulevard and Buffalo Trail is complete as part of the City of Castle Pines 2025 Road Solutions project.
According to the Federal Highway Administration (FHA), roundabouts reduce severe crashes at intersections by 80%. Here are some guidelines from the Colorado Department of Transportation and FHA on how to safely navigate these traffic circles:
When approaching the roundabout, yield or come to a stop for traffic passing in front of you. When a safe gap is available, merge into roundabout traffic.
When entering the roundabout, yield to traffic already navigating it.
Do not stop once you have entered the roundabout unless it is for a pedestrian, bicycle or if it is an emergency.
As you travel the roundabout, pay attention to signage and merging vehicles.
Once in the roundabout, you have the right-of-way, but pay attention to inexperienced roundabout travelers who might pull out in front of you.
In multi-lane roundabouts, drivers should choose the lane and maintain it. You should not switch to the outside lane to exit the roundabout. Like most other intersections, drivers use the left lane to go left, the right lane to go right, and either lane to go straight through, unless otherwise indicated.
When you reach your desired exit point, use your blinker to alert fellow motorists that you are exiting.
Please be patient and respectful of other drivers. While roundabouts are designed to improve traffic and pedestrian safety, many motorists are unfamiliar with their unique requirements.
For more information, visit codot.gov/travel/roundabouts or highways.dot.gov.
Article and photo by Hollen Wheeler
