Emergency vehicles

The passage of large emergency vehicles through a roundabout is the same as for other large vehicles and may require use of a mountable apron. On emergency response routes, the delay for the relevant movements at a planned roundabout should be compared with alternative intersection types and control. Just as they are required to do at conventional intersections, drivers should be educated not to enter a roundabout when an emergency vehicle is approaching on another leg. Once having entered, they should clear out of the circulatory roadway if possible, facilitating queue clearance in front of the emergency vehicle.

Roundabouts provide emergency vehicles the benefit of lower vehicle speeds, which may make roundabouts safer for them to negotiate than signalized crossings. Unlike at signalized intersections, emergency vehicle drivers are not faced with through vehicles unexpectedly running the intersection and hitting them at high speed.