When approaching a roundabout, you should always:
Answers
Increase your speed.
Maintain your speed.
Come to a complete stop.
Decrease your speed.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is :
The correct answer is “Decrease your speed.”
When approaching a roundabout, it’s crucial to slow down to ensure you can safely navigate the intersection. Roundabouts are designed to keep traffic moving smoothly while reducing the likelihood of accidents, but they require drivers to yield to traffic already in the roundabout, and sometimes pedestrians or cyclists, depending on the design.
Here’s why decreasing your speed is the best approach:
- Yielding to traffic: Most roundabouts have a rule that vehicles entering the roundabout must yield to those already circulating. If you’re approaching a roundabout at high speed, it could be harder to judge gaps in traffic and adjust your speed to merge safely.
- Pedestrians and cyclists: Many roundabouts have pedestrian crossings and may also be used by cyclists. Slowing down allows you to react more easily to any unexpected movement from pedestrians or cyclists.
- Safety: Roundabouts can be tricky to navigate, especially for new drivers or those unfamiliar with the design. Slowing down gives you more time to assess the situation, ensuring that you don’t enter the roundabout too quickly or cause confusion for other drivers.
- Avoiding accidents: Entering a roundabout at too high a speed increases the risk of losing control of your vehicle, especially when turning or changing lanes. By decreasing your speed, you help ensure that you can stop safely if needed and that you can maneuver through the roundabout without difficulty.
- Improved flow of traffic: Slowing down makes it easier for vehicles to merge smoothly into the roundabout, improving the overall flow of traffic and reducing congestion. It also allows drivers to make decisions about when to enter the roundabout more safely.
In summary, reducing your speed when approaching a roundabout is essential for safety and smooth traffic flow.