What do you think of traffic "Roundabouts"?

[johngalt]

If you consider there are about 45,000 traffic deaths a year in the USA, how many people driving on the roads out there do you think can or do "drive better than the typical chimp with an opposable thumb"? Clearly roads should be designed to accommodate all drivers not just those who have exceptional skills.

I prefer not dumbing down to the lowest common denominator.

 

[sasu]

The roundabouts are excellent!

Advantage One: you have to essentially look only to one side when entering the roundabout. This makes it a lot safer than looking to both sides.

Advantage Two: you can make even a big intersection safe without using traffic lights, thus letting cars drive through without stopping most of the time, depending on traffic.

I love the roundabouts, they make traffic safer and smoother. In my country, at least, the safety is a proven fact: less collisions that in traditional intersections.

 

[El Bombardero]

I first encountered them in DC, and thought that they were horrible. Many years later, I encountered them in MA, and I have changed my thinking. They generally call them rotaries up here, and they are always marked with the law, that the vehicle in the rotary has the right of way. They still are a problem for idiots, but, in my opinion, they have one huge advantage over traffic lights or stop signs when used on high-speed roads. The advantage is that almost any collision will be a fender-bender rather than a vehicular homicide.

I could be wrong, but I don't think that there is much of a problem with them around here.

I agree. They take a little getting used to, but the accidents that do occur happen at much slower speeds. Also, if there is no traffic, you don't need to stop for a random red light or stop sign.

However, roundabouts are about the only place I ever use my horn because a lot of people just sit there waiting for some kind of signal to tell them to go.

 

[k20350]

You haven't lived till you do a roundabout with a 53' trailer and a road tractor. People lose their minds when a semi is in one. you need abou 4 pairs of eyes LOL.

 

[GaryS]

Interestingly, Baldwin County, AL is considering building some in Fairhope. Apparently they are considered more efficient than 4 way intersections.

 

[wbraswell]

My little home town has a circle in the center of it. It's been there since the 40s. No problems at all. There's a yield sign at every entrance. Sure beats a 4 way stop or traffic light.

 

[Memphiscbrider]

I hate them. Mainly because the first time I ever saw one, I was visiting Australia and trying to learn how to drive a right hand drive car on the wrong side of the road. I happened to come across one and couldn't figure out which way to go in the darn thing and it just frustrated me so badly that now when I see one. I just want to run straight over it

 

[35Rem]

Would all the Civil Engineers that have a background in Trasportation Design please stand up? (I'm one)

Sure are a lot of "Sidewalk Engineers" on this thread.

At least there are some that understand the purposes of a roundabout.

 

[5Wire]

I recall driving in Pennsylvania years ago entering a rotary/roundabout that had traffic lights at the entrances that turned green when it was OK to enter. Useless.

 

[klondike]

I believe that traffic studies in Europe are showing that a reduction of lane markers and traffic control signs actually slows traffic down and reduces accidents. Counter intuitive for Americans. Traffic circles are fine once you learn the rhythm of the things.

 

[5Wire]

Good for testing tire adhesion, too...

 

[David LaPell]

My geometry teacher told me the shortest distance between two points is a straight line. It makes me wonder what school the architects who came up with roundabouts went to.

They always remind me of this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iAgX6qlJEMc

 

[Frank46]

Roundabouts or turning circles and J turns. Wonder who thought the last one up?. Frank