Roundabout Confusion in Detroit Lakes

DETROIT LAKES (KDLM) – Roundabouts aren’t new to Detroit Lakes, but an increase in roundabouts in the city has created some confusion for drivers not accustomed to them.

Two new roundabouts were recently constructed at Willow and Washington Ave as well as North Shore Dr. And Washington Ave. to help alleviate traffic. The Detroit Lakes City Council had hoped to install an additional roundabout on the intersection of McKinly and Frazee, but opted to delay that construction in-part due to concern of driver education navigating the city’s existing roundabouts.

“The basic rule is you yield to your left. So if I’m entering into the roundabout and there’s a car also entering from my left, I yield to that car to my left. If I’m in the roundabout and there’s a car coming from the right, they’re supposed to yield to me,” says Mayor Matt Brenk.

The newest roundabouts on Washington Ave. are considered mini-roundabouts and constructed with a low center, Brenk says the low center allows larger trucks, buses and snow plows to “cheat a little bit” as they go through.

Common roundabout errors include disregarding yields and braking while in the circle.