Right-of-way between vehicles

The UVC specifies that “when two vehicles approach or enter an intersection from different highways at approximately the same time, the driver of the vehicle on the left shall yield the right-of-way to the vehicle on the right” (UVC §11-401). This runs contrary to the default operation of a roundabout, which assigns the right-of-way to the vehicle on the left and any vehicle in front. This requires the use of yield signs and yield lines at all approaches to a roundabout to clearly define right-of-way.

This guide recommends that right-of-way at a roundabout be legally defined such that an entering vehicle shall yield the right-of-way to the vehicle on the left (France passed such a law in 1984). This definition does not change the recommendation for appropriately placed yield signs and yield lines.