Safer roundabouts are replacing traffic signals (2023)
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Safer roundabouts are replacing traffic signals (2023)
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Re: Safer roundabouts are replacing traffic signals (2023)
#2Having looked at some of the links in the article, I just realized that one extra feature of roundabouts is that they allow U-turns (which is not always the case at an intersection).
Re: Safer roundabouts are replacing traffic signals (2023)
#3Trying to explain how roundabouts work to someone who doesn't get them is extremely frustrating. The rules are simple, but for some reason a lot of folks are vastly overthinking it.
The thing is, I like roundabouts, but I'm somehow not surprised that the metrics focus on accidents involving death or injury. I think that because people have to slow down, it must improve those metrics. But there's a particular glut of bone-headed people who power right into the roundabout without anything resembling yielding, to the point where I would legitimately not be surprised if there were actually more accidents overall. That may still be better, but it's incredibly frustrating how badly people handle roundabouts given their simplicity.
Re: Safer roundabouts are replacing traffic signals (2023)
#4"As a person with a vehicle built within the past 15 years with massive A-pillars, I don't like them."
I'm actually fond of rotaries in general. But especially for newer smaller ones, it feels like the gradual turning of your path is much worse for keeping a walking pedestrian within your recently-created front blind spot as you're merging in, just when your attention is focused on other cars. I counter by bobbing my head left and right to see around the post, but I don't think most drivers do this.
I obviously can't argue with the statistics, but I also have to wonder if they're telling the whole story.
Re: Safer roundabouts are replacing traffic signals (2023)
#5I spend a lot of time near Manchester, VT where there are a handful of roundabouts including two in quick succession, one of which is as small as it is busy. The problem, based on my observations, is that many Americans have no idea how to use roundabout, nor how to signal through them. I feel unsafe every time I'm in the roundabout and have nearly been T-boned multiple times by people feeling they have the right to enter the roundabout regardless of existing motorists already being there. The Yield sign before the roundabout is ignored.
Re: Safer roundabouts are replacing traffic signals (2023)
#6No HN discussion of roundabouts is complete until someone has posted the Magic Roundabout. There are several in the UK, this is the one nearest to me. And yes it's as insane to drive on as it looks, but safer as everyone is terrified and drives slowly. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magic_Roundabout_(Hemel_Hempst...
Re: Safer roundabouts are replacing traffic signals (2023)
#7I didn't get from the article: are they better than all traffic signals, or signals with unprotected left turns? And what's a good vs. bad turnabout like?
I have had to go through a few that feel extremely dangerous compared to having all cars stop for me. So I know I must be missing something.
Edit: Also, I see a lot of comments on yield. I'm probably confused too, but how do they work when traffic is non-stop? Is there a specific traffic rate beyond which roundabouts become less safe?
Re: Safer roundabouts are replacing traffic signals (2023)
#8I live in a country where roundabouts are common. They're great for relatively low traffic intersections as you can often get through much faster than lights.
They are a liability when traffic levels are high enough - say during peak times - when one inbound direction is blocked by another.
Wondering why Americans loathe them?
Re: Safer roundabouts are replacing traffic signals (2023)
#9Convincing an American that roundabouts are good is about the same conversation as convincing an American to give up their gun.
Some will 'get it', most will not.
Re: Safer roundabouts are replacing traffic signals (2023)
#10I spend a lot of time near Manchester, VT where there are a handful of roundabouts including two in quick succession, one of which is as small as it is busy. The problem, based on my observations, is that many Americans have no idea how to use roundabout, nor how to signal through them. I feel unsafe every time I'm in the roundabout and have nearly been T-boned multiple times by people feeling they have the right to…
It’s a chicken and egg scenario. Until they’re more common, people won’t learn. Hopefully we’re just in that awkward middle phase.