Roundabouts: Use Your Blinker North Dakota Or Else!

The majority of drivers in Bismarck, Mandan, and Lincoln still haven't fully got the message about using your blinker when EXITING a roundabout.

It is beyond a simple concept. You just turn on your blinker right before you EXIT a roundabout. Not before you enter the roundabout, but right BEFORE you exit. That simple.

I take roundabouts to and from work every day and I still estimate at best, 3 out of 10 people actually use their blinkers correctly in a roundabout. Pretty sad. Most drivers I see fail to use their blinkers at all.

Apparently, a good share of North Dakota must be struggling with the same simple task.

Even though there was already a law requiring drivers to use their blinkers when changing lanes in North Dakota. Since it didn't specifically say "roundabouts" in the current law concerning the use of a blinker, the state of North Dakota decided to do something about it. A new law in North Dakota that includes the language of using your blinker when you exit a roundabout went into effect on August 1st, 2023.

I know I've beaten this horse to death, but there really are two good reasons to remember to use your blinker when exiting a roundabout.

First and foremost, it improves safety. The vehicle waiting to enter the roundabout knows your intention of leaving the roundabout and can safely enter. Secondly, it helps keep the flow of traffic. Again, if you know the vehicle inside the roundabout is about to exit, you can keep traffic moving by entering the roundabout yourself. This all happens when you use your blinker.

This is so easy people. Turn on your blinker right before you exit in a roundabout. Even if it's only for a few blinks.

Oh yeah, maybe this might help. Law Enforcement is handing out $20 dollar tickets to help you remember. I witness it nearly daily in Lincoln.

In case you need a refresher, please watch this video from the North Dakota Highway Patrol.

You can see more from the North Dakota Highway Patrol YouTube Channel here.