Committee recommends due pass for bill removing mandatory exit signaling for roundabouts

BISMARCK — The House Transportation Committee recommended a due pass for House Bill 1518, which would remove the statutory requirement that drivers signal when exiting a roundabout (statute uses the term "rotary traffic island").

Sponsor Representative Lori Beth Hager, R‑Fargo, told the committee the requirement to signal on exits was recently added to statute and has frustrated many drivers because the short distance between exits makes it difficult to signal reliably. "Does the driver in the roundabout circle have the ability and the time to properly signal in the short distance between the exits?" Hager asked the committee.

Supporters from local government said roundabouts improve traffic flow and safety and that mandatory exit signaling is not practically enforced. Former Horace mayor Corey Peterson said his town's roundabouts have improved safety near schools and that deputies "do not care about those blinkers" in routine enforcement. One motorcyclist, Kevin Herman of Beulah, testified in opposition and said he relies on turn signals to anticipate exits and would prefer the requirement remain.

Committee members discussed enforceability, what signage would be required, and whether the statutory phrase "rotary traffic island" should be updated to the more commonly used term "roundabout." Representative Casper moved to pass the bill and Representative Christensen moved a due‑pass recommendation; the committee recorded a due‑pass recommendation by roll call.

The committee recommended the bill advance; the clerk recorded the motion as carried (14 yes). Representative Casper agreed to carry the bill to the floor.

Sources: Testimony at the House Transportation Committee hearing and roll‑call record.