Kansas found a roundabout loophole nobody knew existed and now wants to close it
Published on Mar 09, 2026 at 2:45 AM (UTC+4)
by Molly Davidson
Last updated on Mar 05, 2026 at 8:39 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Mason Jones
Roundabouts can already be confusing for drivers.
Turns out, the rulebook can be confusing too.
In Kansas, lawmakers recently discovered a roundabout loophole hiding inside the state’s traffic laws.
And the state wants to close it as soon as possible.
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Kansas’s roundabout loophole
The discovery came as officials were reviewing how traffic laws apply inside roundabouts.
During that process, they realized something surprising.
Kansas drivers are not technically required to use turn signals while navigating a roundabout.
In other words, under the current wording of the law, motorists can enter, circulate, and exit a roundabout without ever touching the blinker.
After spotting the gap, Brad Starnes – a lawmaker who proudly calls himself ‘the roundabout guy’ – introduced Senate Bill 318.
His proposal would close the roundabout loophole by requiring drivers to signal when exiting a roundabout or changing lanes inside one.
The issue becomes clearer in two-lane roundabouts, where vehicles often cross paths while leaving the circle.
For example, Starnes described a situation where a driver enters in the inner lane and then exits across the outer lane.
Without a signal, the driver beside them may have no idea what’s about to happen.
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While one state wants more signaling, another wants less
Interestingly, Kansas isn’t the only state arguing about roundabouts right now.
While Kansas lawmakers want drivers to signal more, Utah is debating whether drivers should have to signal at all.
In other words, one state wants more blinking lights and the other is thinking about fewer.
That split shows just how confusing roundabout etiquette still is in the United States.
Roundabouts are supposed to keep traffic flowing smoothly, but plenty of drivers still treat them like a puzzle they’re solving in real time.
Because of that, different states have started experimenting with different rules for signaling and lane changes inside the circle.
For Kansas lawmakers, the goal is simply to make drivers’ intentions easier to read.
Bill 318 still has several steps to clear before it becomes law, including a full Senate debate and a vote in the House.
But if it makes it through, Kansas drivers may soon have to start using their blinkers in roundabouts a lot more often.
Then again, most drivers probably had no idea it wasn’t already the rule.
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With roles at TEXT Journal, Bowen Street Press, Onya Magazine, and Swine Magazine on her CV, Molly joined Supercar Blondie in June 2025 as a Junior Content Writer. Having experience across copyediting, proofreading, reference checking, and production, she brings accuracy, clarity, and audience focus to her stories spanning automotive, tech, and lifestyle news.
