Michigan establishes no-stopping rule for roundabouts

NEWS RELEASE

MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

************************* MDOT explains roundabout safety regarding emergency vehicles

Drivers are trained to pull over when an emergency vehicle is coming because it's the law.

In the case of roundabouts, the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) yesterday announced that motorists must clear a roundabout if they hear (or see) an emergency vehicle coming.

Completing the turn and safely pulling off of the roadway once the vehicle exits the roundabout is the correct maneuver in an emergency situation.

"With more and more roundabouts being installed in Michigan, drivers must know how to safely navigate them in the event of an emergency," said State Transportation Director Kirk T. Steudle. "Getting out of a roundabout as quickly as possible when an emergency vehicle is approaching is not only the safest thing to do but it is required by law."

Michigan is installing more roundabouts (another form of an intersection) because they are easy to drive through and safer than traditional intersections.

For more information, go to the MDOT Web site at: www.michigan.gov/roundabout

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