When approaching a traffic circle, what should you do at a yield sign?

Question

In my state, there is a traffic circle, at each entrance to the circle are clear and visible YIELD signs.  Now the circle traffic moves to the right.  So you can only turn right to go into the circle.  Also, I know that yield means to slow down, look to your left and proceed if safe to do so.

Most times if I am already in the circle, other drivers will barrel into the circle, ignoring the YIELD signs, as if they're supposed to zipper merge into the circle.

So two questions, if vehicles are zipper merging into the circle instead of yielding to traffic already in the circle, aren't they in the wrong?  Why can't drivers be bothered to wait a measly 2 seconds for you to go by so they can enter the circle?

Obi Wan Knievel · Accepted Answer

When approaching a YIELD sign, at a roundabout or anywhere else, you should definitely yield.  Kind of like the sign says.

In a roundabout, traffic already inside the circle has right of way.  Vehicles entering the intersection do not, hence the yield signs.  If you fail to yield to traffic already inside the circle, anything that happens accident-wise is your fault because they had right of way and you didn't.

Yes, those zipper-merging cars are in the wrong.  If you end up side-swiping one of them because they tried to cut in front of (or beside) you, the accident will be 100% their fault.

Anonymous · Answer

If you know, why are you asking?  Actually it means stop and turn off the car.  Get out and lock the car.  Walk home.

M. · Answer

What does YIELD mean to you?

To me, if I have the yield sign, it means that the other person has the right of way, and I have to WAIT until there is no traffic, before proceeding.

There are some recent roundabouts (traffic circles) in my area, and they are far too small.  People drive too fast and don't understand what right of way means.

The first traffic circle that I was exposed to as a driver was decades ago in Paris, France 🇫🇷 around the Arch of Triumph.  That one is LARGE and there is plenty of room to manipulate the car.

The next one was in London, England 🇬🇧 but it turned in the opposite direction!  Lots of fun.

Now they have them in my state in the USA 🇺🇸.  People here aren't such intelligent drivers any more, I'm sorry to say.

Mark · Answer

Stop if there is a car already in the circle approaching the entry point, slow, and go if there isn't.  (Hard to believe, but "yield" means "yield".)  What absolutely drives (pardon the pun!) me crazy is people who get into the RIGHT lane of the roundabout (from which you can either turn right at the next exit or travel straight through), but try to turn LEFT, or cars "who can't be bothered to wait for stopped buses (picking up passengers, not just sitting there)", and turn RIGHT from the left lane ACROSS the bus' lane.

ugiidriver · Answer

Merging traffic from two or more streets without stopping is the whole point of having a roundabout instead of a stop sign or signal light
Yield means you have the responsibility to enter the circle without forcing cars already in the circle to have to brake to accommodate your entry, or colliding with a car already in the circle.
The zipper analogy is a good description of the result of everyone doing what they are each expected to do.

StephenWeinstein · Answer

If they have a yield sign and they aren't yielding, then they are in the wrong.

But it wouldn't be just a two second wait.  Behind you, there could be another car, and then another, so if they wait, it could be a long wait.

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When approaching a traffic circle, what should you do at a yield sign?

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