A confusing driving rule in Utah may soon be rescinded after a state legislator discovered its existence when a friend faced a police stop. According to local reports, many residents navigate roundabouts daily, unaware they are breaking the law.

Currently, when drivers navigate roundabouts in Utah, they must use their turn signals upon entering and exiting. Representative Ariel Defay has introduced a bill to repeal this requirement. She is not alone in believing the rule lacks sense.

Vehicles at a roundabout in Utah, US. Google Maps

Defay told KSL News she learned of the law's existence after a friend was stopped for not signaling in a roundabout. This prompted Defay to research Utah's traffic laws further.

What she found was Section 41-6a-804 of the Utah Code, which requires drivers to signal before turning, changing lanes, or moving left or right on a roadway. Technically, this includes roundabouts.

According to Defay, the problem is that roundabouts do not function like standard intersections. When entering a roundabout with only one direction of travel, a turn signal is ineffective. Exiting a roundabout is not much better because drivers must focus on yielding, observing traffic, and tracking which of the multiple exits they are approaching.

Defay stated: "There are so many exits when you're going around in a circle. By the time you put your blinker on, you could be past one exit and on to another. It's unclear which exit you're going to take."

Importantly, if Defay's bill passes, it will not completely alter the rules. Vehicles in two-lane roundabouts will still need to use their turn signals when in the inner lane and intending to move to an outer lane.

The bill was first heard by the House Transportation Committee on 30/1, and Defay anticipates strong support from drivers.

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