Minnesota Roundabout Rule that You Probably Don’t Know About

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Even though we have quite a few roundabouts throughout Minnesota, they still seem to baffle some people. But there's one rule in particular that I think only a select few know about. Are you required to use your turn signal when entering or exiting a roundabout?

I understand the pros of roundabouts. In this week's 'Ask a Trooper' article from Sgt. Troy Christianson of the Minnesota State Patrol, he writes that roundabouts "show an 89 percent decrease in fatal crashes, a 74 percent decrease in life-altering injury crashes and a 39 percent decrease in all crashes." The numbers don't lie, that's awesome!

He also mentions that roundabouts "handle high levels of traffic with less delay than most stop signs or signals."

The issue, though, is that there seem to be rules for roundabouts that not everyone knows about. One of them, for example, is the use of turn signals.

Are You Required to Use Your Turn Signal When Entering or Exiting a Roundabout?

I always thought that you should signal when exiting the roundabout so people know that you're exiting. Turns out, that's wrong!

Sgt. Troy Christianson says that you are not required to signal your exit from a roundabout. However, you ARE required to signal when entering the roundabout. What?! I never knew that!

He writes:

"Minnesota state law says that a signal of intention to turn right or left shall be given continuously during not less than the last 100 feet traveled by the vehicle before turning. A person whose vehicle is exiting a roundabout is exempt from this subdivision. So per state law, a signal is not required once in a roundabout.

Entering a roundabout requires a signal. I would say that entering a roundabout could or would require a signal, depending on how it is constructed. My recommendation would be to use your signal anytime you change lanes or direction, to alert others of your intention."

According to defensivedriving.com, this is how you should signal when using a roundabout:

• When turning right (first exit), signal right as with a normal right turn.
• When going straight ahead, no signal upon entering, signal as you approach your exit.
• When turning left (last exit/three-quarters around), signal left upon entering, switch to right as you come to the exit.