Karen Bell of Arlington writes: “I like the new roundabout at 84th and Highway 9, but I have seen many of the vehicles traveling much faster than 15 mph, especially those headed north/south on Highway 9. They may slow down to 30. Is the speed limit 15 in roundabouts? Why is that fact only signaled by a tiny, easily overlooked sign at least a thousand feet away from the roundabout?”
Tom Pearce of the Washington State Department of Transportation responds: “Roundabouts do not have speed limits beyond the regular limit on the roads, but there are recommended speeds. In general roundabouts are designed for speeds of 25 mph or less. The roundabout at 84th and State Route 9 is designed to have one through lane and one lane for vehicles taking the next right, but we were only able to put down temporary striping, and it’s wearing off. Because of this, some drivers are trying to use both lanes as through lanes. This spring we’ll add permanent markings, which will make it clear that drivers on the right need to take the next right and exit the roundabout. WSDOT has a good explanation of how to drive in roundabouts at www.wsdot.wa.gov/Safety/roundabouts/default.htm.”
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