I hate roundabouts -- but maybe I am wrong
Roundabouts are spreading across the country -- I find them infuriating and unsafe (when I am towing a trailer). And yet the experts say they are much safer than ordinary intersections. Check out th...
Forum Discussion
I suspect the "studies" that were done showing roundabouts are safer probably compare them to 4-way stops but don't take into consideration that most drivers don't know how to navigate either one. Roundabouts are even more confusing to these drivers so they go slower thru them, stop and wait for everyone in the circle to clear out before entering or stop in the roundabout to allow others the chance to enter.
Seems the the biggest selling point for many though is "it's just like what the enlightened countries of Europe use", so we need to have them too. The problem with many though is they aren't built large enough to accommodate more than two or three vehicles at any one time, so their benefit, even with knowledgeable drives, is marginal at best.
Maybe the real solution (other than driver education) is to go back to the 4-way stop replacing the stop signs with red lights that allow one vehicle at a time to proceed, rotating the green light around the intersection.
Seems the the biggest selling point for many though is "it's just like what the enlightened countries of Europe use", so we need to have them too. The problem with many though is they aren't built large enough to accommodate more than two or three vehicles at any one time, so their benefit, even with knowledgeable drives, is marginal at best.
Maybe the real solution (other than driver education) is to go back to the 4-way stop replacing the stop signs with red lights that allow one vehicle at a time to proceed, rotating the green light around the intersection.
