Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles Permit Practice Test

What should you do when you are approaching a roundabout?

1. Speed up to merge quickly

2. Yield to traffic in the roundabout

3. Always stop before entering

4. Use your horn to alert others

The correct answer is: Yield to traffic in the roundabout

When approaching a roundabout, yielding to traffic that is already in the roundabout is the correct action to take. This is essential because vehicles inside the roundabout have the right of way, and yielding allows for a smoother flow of traffic and reduces the risk of accidents. Being aware of this rule helps to keep the roundabout functioning efficiently, as it minimizes unnecessary stops and delays. In practice, this means you should slow down as you approach the roundabout, look for any vehicles already circulating within it, and only proceed when it's safe to do so. Understanding this concept aids in promoting safety for all road users, including pedestrians and cyclists, who may also be navigating the area around the roundabout. Other potential actions, such as speeding up to merge quickly or always stopping before entering, might lead to confusion and danger in this driving situation. Using the horn, in many cases, could be inappropriate and may escalate tensions or distract other drivers instead of facilitating a safe merging process.