Hey Selkirk, we’ve just completed our first traffic circle as part of the Eveline Reconstruction Project. It’s located at the corner of Eveline at Queen Street and we have some information to share with you.
What is a traffic circle?
It’s a type of circular intersection or junction in which road traffic is permitted to flow in one direction around a central island, and priority is typically given to traffic already in the junction.
How to use a traffic circle
When approaching a traffic circle, reduce your speed to the posted speed limit or slower and be prepared to yield to pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles in the roundabout.
When no traffic is approaching from the left you may proceed into the traffic circle. If two vehicles arrive at the same time, the vehicle on the right should enter the roundabout first.
When in the traffic circle, you have the right-of-way over vehicles entering.
Continue until you reach the street you wish to exit on, signaling your intention to exit in advance. As you exit, watch for pedestrians within the pedestrian corridor and yield the right-of-way to pedestrians and cyclists.
Why install a traffic circle?
- Traffic circles reduce speed at intersections, ultimately making intersections safer.
- Traffic circles reduce traffic because they keep traffic flowing.
- Accidents at intersections with a traffic circle occur less and are often far less severe.
Traffic circles are typically less expensive than traditional intersections to build and maintain.
- Pedestrians crossing an intersection with a traffic circle are safer because there is only one lane of traffic to check at a time and the distance to cross the road is shorter.
On top of being safer, more cost-effective and keeping traffic flowing, Selkirk’s new traffic circle located at Eveline and Queen will serve as a feature piece at the entrance to Selkirk Park.
