And ‘Roundabout’ We Go…
[special thanks to one of my readers, Steve Auger, for suggesting this topic!]
Have you ever used a roundabout and actually sat there rather than moved? The whole point of using a roundabout is to help traffic flow more smoothly. If this is the case, then why is it that so many of us are confused when we first approach one? Didn’t they have roundabouts in driver’s education classes?
According to Wikipedia,
Overall, roundabouts are statistically safer than both traffic circles and traditional intersections, with the exception that cyclists have a significantly increased crash rate at large roundabouts. Roundabouts do not cope as well with the traffic on motorways, highways, or similar fast roads.
In the Raleigh/Durham area, for example, NC State University incorporated the use of a roundabout on its campus, and I swear- I have never seen so many people get stuck. It’s literally as if they don’t know what to do when they get to it. I’ve witnessed people put their indicators on to enter the circle. I’ve seen people stop in the middle of the circle to let other people in. I’ve even seen people go around the roundabout several times (Perhaps they can figure out how to exit it- much like a revolving door?)
Common Problems with Roundabouts
When it comes to roundabouts, there are usually several safety-related problems that drivers face:
- approaching the roundabout too quickly
- lack of signs indicating that there is a roundabout
- pedestrians
- cyclists
- lane configuration
When you are driving, always be aware of your surroundings. Look for signs indicating that there is a roundabout ahead. This can greatly reduce your risk of approaching the roundabout too quickly. Other considerations to take into account are that of other pedestrians and cyclists. Similar to drivers, pedestrians and cyclists should be made aware of the general functions of a roundabout and let this guide them in how they use it. Always yield to pedestrians. Additionally, for larger roundabouts, lanes delineation can often be a problem. When roads lack lanes, drivers often feel lost. For smaller roundabouts, this isn’t typically a problem, but becomes increasingly so as the roundabouts increase in size in order to accommodate larger amounts of traffic. Got a story about using a roundabout? Let us know!
For more information about car transport and auto shipping, contact National Transport today!
I discovered one handy purpose for roundabouts when I was vacationing in Spain. When you miss your exit (as tourists usually do) there is no problem. Just drive to the next roundabout and do a 180. Saves all the fretting about where you can do a U-turn in traffic.
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