On your way to the University of Mississippi’s Oxford campus, you might have noticed something different about the way traffic flows through town. It is almost impossible to get anywhere without encountering at least a few traffic circles — or roundabouts, as we refer to them in Oxford. Oxford has more of them than any other city in the state.
Roundabouts serve as an alternative to traditional intersections. Instead of coming to a stop at a traffic light or stop sign, traffic moves around a circle. You enter when it is your turn, and you exit in whatever direction you wish to go.
Roundabouts have many benefits. According to the Mississippi Department of Transportation, they can reduce crashes by 50% and fatalities by 90%. But for drivers unfamiliar with them, as you may be, they can be confusing and maybe even scary. According to MDOT, here are some roundabout tips to keep you safe as you explore Oxford:
1. Yield to drivers in the roundabout. As you approach the roundabout, reduce your speed and prepare to yield to drivers who are already in the circle.
2. Traffic flows counter-clockwise. Follow the flow of traffic and turn right to merge into and out of the roundabout.
3. Stay in your lane. Many of the roundabouts in Oxford have multiple lanes. Do not change lanes once you are in the roundabout. Take care to make sure you remain in your lane as you drive through the circle, as there may be someone next to you.
4. Do not stop in the roundabout. Once you have entered the circle, keep moving steadily and maintain a safe following distance from the vehicle in front of you.
Additionally, avoid driving next to oversized vehicles like box trucks and 18-wheelers, which may need extra room to navigate the roundabout. If you miss your exit — do not panic. Just continue around the circle until you have the opportunity to exit again.
It will be different at first, but with practice, it is possible to learn to enjoy a way of getting around that is uniquely Oxonian. Welcome to Oxford!
