Posted on 09/25/2022 6:42:21 AM PDT by Tolerance Sucks Rocks
Some drivers may be confused or intimidated by roundabouts, those circular intersections where all traffic circles to the left until motorists find their exit to the right.
But drivers better get used to them — the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation is sold on the improved safety and traffic flow roundabouts provide and expects to install more of them to replace traditional intersections that use traffic signals or stop signs.
The department last week released a study that reviewed 36 roundabouts that had replaced traditional intersections for at least three years. It found that deaths at those locations dropped to just one from three; serious injuries dropped 76%; minor injuries 22%; and possible or unknown severity injuries 70%. Overall, the number of crashes dropped by 9%.
Jeff Bucher, PennDOT’s division chief for highway, design and technology, said the state expected the increased safety numbers. That’s because roundabouts slow down drivers in general and eliminate left turns across traffic that lead to high-impact side crashes.
“The roundabouts are designed so people enter at a slower speed so if there is an accident, it’s usually a minor fender-bender rather than the T-bone accidents you get at traditional intersections,” Mr. Bucher said. “All the turns are right-turn movements, not left turns across traffic.”
The use of modern roundabouts began in the early 1990s and were approved and encouraged by the Federal Highway Administration in the later 1990s. Some states, such as Florida, Washington and Wisconsin, have been leaders in adopting them.
Pennsylvania is about in the middle of the pack on roundabout use, Mr. Bucher said. In addition to those included in the study, another 38 have been installed on state routes and 16 are in the design stage.
(Excerpt) Read more at post-gazette.com ...
How does that differ from a roundabout?
I support the idea of conversion.
There’s nothing like waiting 5 minutes for a light at an intersection with perfect visibility and zero traffic, thinking WTF this is so stupid.
Yes, this roundabout has those pavers. I have no idea what that truck was hauling; it looked to be the size of a Nuclear Reactor!
Maybe it was, since the Libtards won’t allow fracking or any sort of mining in our state. ;)
The basic principle is the same, which is why I’m not a big fan of roundabouts, either. At least the roundabouts here have yield signs for the traffic entering them, though a lot of drivers pay no heed.
Still, there are plenty who run stop signs, too. I remember a guy from my youth (with whom I refused to ride) who considered that a four-way stop meant that everyone else was going to stop, so he didn’t have to.
Try taking a tractor trailer into a round about.
Traffic-actuated traffic signals have only been around for 50 years, it’s amazing how many agencies still have problems getting them to work right.
Well, PennDOT is going to be involved, so that's right out of the question.
I really wanted to hate roundabouts but I actually enjoy them except for the idiots that don’t know how to use them properly.
Just a day after one of the first roundabouts in our area opened a woman drunk driving hit the center and caused extensive damage. Guess she didn’t realize that she had to turn and not go straight.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dv8vVU2bEh0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=704vMj4GVx0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HyufxcEQPGc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Wgw4Fg8Vuw
I’m not a spring chicken and I’ve never seen such widespread pi$$ poor driving.
Too many drivers just don’t give a damn any more.
If cops are too scared to issue tickets, maybe we should just do away with no-fault insurance.
The latter works for me, too.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JNvzShSuC0Q
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AmRY3mSjtyc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rz5ksgnvN8E
Suicide Circles
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