48 | Driver’s Manual HOW TO DRIVE THROUGH A ROUNDABOUT DROWSY AND FATIGUED DRIVING Symptoms of Fatigue Who is Most at Risk? All Drivers who are: A “roundabout” or “traffic circle” is a round  intersection with a small diameter that makes  drivers decrease speed, normally to 30 mph or  less. Vehicles travel counterclockwise around a  raised center island, with entering traffic yielding  the right-of-way to traffic already circulating in the  roundabout. Studies show a roundabout can re- duce the number and severity of accidents at an  intersection, compared to intersections controlled  by stop signs or traffic signals. Roundabouts, or  rotaries, are now more common in New York State  and other states.  not change lanes or take an exit before you  check for vehicles that may be continuing  through the roundabout in the lane next to  you or behind you. Expect vehicles to be in  the “blind spots” you cannot see in your mir- rors. (For more about blind spots see, Large  Vehicles, Chapter 11.) Driving and sleep do not mix. When you are  behind the wheel of a car or truck, fatigue is  dangerous. If you are tired when driving you are  slower to react, and not as aware as you should  be and your judgment will be impaired. As with  drugs and alcohol, drowsiness can contribute to a  traffic crash. Researchers have found the following symptoms  to be associated with drowsy driving: When using roundabouts or traffic circles: • As you get near the roundabout, look for  the street and direction signs you need. This  will help you know which exit to take. These  signs will be provided along the roadside  before you reach the entrance to the  roundabout. Slow down when you enter the  roundabout. A sign, like the one on the left  above, warns of a roundabout. • When you arrive at the roundabout, yield  the right-of-way to any pedestrians and  bicyclists. You must also yield to any drivers  who were in the roundabout before you.  Sometimes a stop sign or traffic signal will  control your point of entry. When the traffic  level allows enough space and time, you  can enter the roundabout in a counterclock- wise direction. • While inside the roundabout, remain in your  lane until you are ready to exit. Use your  right turn signal to let the other users know  your intention to move from the “inside  path” to the “outside path”, or if you are in  position to exit now. Start to signal at the  exit BEFORE the one you want to take. Do  • Deprived of sleep or fatigued.  • Driving long distances without rest breaks. • Driving through the night or at times when  you are normally asleep. • Your eyes close or go out of focus by them- selves.  • You find it difficult to keep your head up. • You continue to yawn. • Your thoughts wander and are disconnected. • You do not remember driving the last few miles. • You drift between lanes, tailgate or miss traffic signs. • You must jerk the car back into the lane. • You have drifted off the road and hit the rumble strips, which produce a loud noise  and vibrations.