What is the New Roundabout Law in Arizona?

Roundabouts can be tricky for drivers who aren’t used to them. They are even more challenging for those operating large vehicles. However, there is evidence that this road feature can improve safety and reduce severe accidents and injuries, so the number of roundabouts is on the rise. Now, some recent changes in Arizona’s driving laws aim to make these safer. Arizona legislators enacted the new law on October 30, 2023, through House Bill 2288.

The Bill amends HB-778 to introduce specific rules to improve safety, particularly for large vehicles like trucks and buses. Under the law, when a vehicle over 40 feet in length or 10 feet in width approaches or enters a roundabout, smaller vehicles must yield the right-of-way to these larger vehicles. This change should help provide more space and time for large vehicles to safely complete turns.

Additionally, if two large vehicles approach a roundabout at the same time, the right of way will go to the vehicle on the left while the vehicle on the right must yield. Drivers will start seeing signs around the states notifying them of these updates to the law.

What is a roundabout?

Roundabouts are a form of intersection, but unlike a crossroads, drivers must travel along a circle and exit at the street that leads in the direction they wish to travel. Typically, there is a center island in the middle of the roundabout that vehicles drive around. Vehicles entering must yield to traffic already within the roundabout. The consistent movement reduces traffic delays.

Another benefit of roundabouts is that vehicles do not cross over one another’s paths as they would in a traditional intersection. As a result, there is a reduction in head-on or high-speed collisions. Additionally, roundabouts eliminate left turns, which are a common cause of serious collisions. Roundabouts often prove more efficient and safe in areas with high traffic volumes and in complex intersections. In fact, some studies indicate that converting an intersection to a roundabout can reduce the number of injury-causing collisions by between 72 and 80 percent.

What safety challenges do roundabouts pose?

Roundabouts are, on the whole, safer than other intersections. However, they create some challenges for drivers and others on the road.

• Limited space: Larger vehicles like trucks and buses may not have the space they need to make a full turn in a roundabout. This shortage of space can lead to side-swipe accidents when other drivers fail to yield or misjudge the truck’s movement. Trucks may also need to straddle lanes or take up more than one lane, which can confuse other drivers.
• Driver confusion: In the US, there are around 13,000 roundabouts. This means that there are more intersections with traffic lights in New York City alone than there are roundabouts in the country. It’s fair to say that roundabouts are far less common than traditional crossroads. Because they are so much less common, drivers may not know how to drive through them. This can result in hesitation, improper yielding, or even attempts to stop inside the roundabout, which disrupts the flow of traffic and increases the risk of accidents.
• Pedestrian and cyclist safety: Roundabouts can be more challenging for pedestrians and cyclists to navigate, especially multi-lane roundabouts. Unlike traditional intersections with traffic lights, there won’t be designated crossing times. However, pedestrians only need to worry about vehicles coming from one direction, and the slower speeds make accidents less likely and less severe. Some studies say pedestrian crashes are also less common with roundabouts.
• Multi-lane confusion: Multi-lane roundabouts can confuse drivers who might not know which lane to choose. Changing lanes or exiting from the wrong lane can lead to accidents. This becomes especially risky when drivers are unfamiliar with the layout or markings.

While roundabouts can improve safety, they work best once drivers understand how they work. The number of accidents at intersections involving roundabouts drops each year after cities install them. The reason is that drivers who frequently travel through that area adapt and learn how to use the roundabout correctly.

Does Arizona have a lot of roundabouts?

Arizona is experiencing rapid population growth. Along with any influx of people comes a rise in traffic congestion and possible accidents. City planners are turning to roundabouts as a solution to improve the flow of traffic and make Arizona’s roads safer. Drivers in Arizona will likely see more roundabouts in the near future.

What is the reasoning behind the new roundabout laws?

Before Arizona changed the law, all vehicles, regardless of their size, followed the same right-of-way rules. This policy meant that vehicles already in the roundabout had the right of way over those entering. The amendments acknowledge that this created problems.

The distinction based on size is critical because larger vehicles like semis, buses, or extended trailers often have difficulty maneuvering within the narrowed spaces of a roundabout and are often in the roundabout for longer. Requiring other vehicles to yield helps give larger vehicles more time or space so that they can travel safely and without the added pressure of making other drivers wait.

There are also exceptions to the law aimed at maintaining a smooth and efficient flow of traffic. Importantly, vehicles inside the roundabout do not need to yield to larger approaching vehicles. This policy avoids any unnecessary stopping or disruption of traffic.

If you were in an accident in a roundabout, you need experienced legal representation. Call the injury lawyers at Plattner Verderame PC or fill out our contact form to schedule a free initial consultation today.