New Highway Code, how priority changes in roundabouts

How priority at roundabouts works today

Currently, priority at roundabouts is governed by the general rules set out in article 145 of the Highway Code. The law establishes that, when two vehicles are about to enter an intersection, priority must be given to those coming from the right, unless otherwise indicated on the signs.

In most Italian roundabouts, however, there is a yield sign at the entrance. In these cases, those who enter must let the vehicles that are already traveling along the ring pass. The situation changes when the signal is not present: in the absence of other indications, priority on the right is applied, which can favor the incoming vehicle.

What does the new Highway Code provide?

The change described in the draft of the new Highway Code aims to introduce a general principle: priority belongs to vehicles that are already inside the roundabout, unless the signs state otherwise.

In this way, the priority would no longer depend on the presence of the sign giving priority to the entrance. The position of the vehicles would become the main criterion for determining who should pass first.

The objective is to simplify circulation and reduce uncertainties, especially in roundabouts without specific signs.

The difference between the current and proposed rules

To understand the change just consider two situations. In a roundabout with a signal to give priority to the entrance, the rules would remain substantially unchanged: those arriving must wait for the vehicles already present in the ring to pass.

The difference would mainly concern roundabouts without that signal. Today, in these cases, priority on the right applies. With the new provision, however, the entering vehicle should let those who are already circulating in the roundabout pass, unless otherwise indicated.

The reform would thus come closer to a traffic model already widespread in several European countries, with the aim of making motorists' behavior more predictable.

When will the new rules come into force?

The change is not yet operational. The new Highway Code is currently being defined and the provisions contained in the draft will have to complete the required process before becoming applicable.

Until that time, motorists must continue to respect the current rules, paying particular attention to the signs at the entrance to the roundabouts. It is therefore incorrect to consider priority to be already obligatory for those inside the ring in all circumstances.