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profdant139's avatar
profdant139
Explorer II
Jun 17, 2021

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 this very clear discussion by the Iowa DOT:

Iowas DOT discussion of roundabout safety

So now I am both infuriated and wrong? That's frustrating and humiliating. Oh, well. ;)

83 Replies

  • I love roundabouts. I travel through 3 in 6 miles on my way into town. One of them with 2 lanes has 30,000 vehicles per day. I just wish that people would use their turn signals. . . it is suggested in WA State, but not required. Its is required in Germany and Austria.

    I never travel beside a large truck or trailer in multi-lane roundabouts. . . I like to give them room.

    My most adventurous roundabout was in the UK, with 3 lanes and the steering wheel was on the wrong side. . . yikes. A fender ahead wins.
  • I like the single lane ones -- super easy to navigate and watch for traffic and most of the time you don't need to stop, so it's better than a stop sign.

    The multilane ones seem less safe -- people don't always know which lane they should be in to get to their exit and end up conflicting with others.
  • With my TT they are sometimes challenging. Without I like them.