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Internationally, roundabouts are a common road configuration. As time has passed, they have increasingly become an option in the United States as an attempt to slow traffic and utilize limited road space. Recently, more of them are showing up in Minnesota. A concern has been raised with a new roundabout in Sartell, due to a concern that there may be a increase in accidents associated with its use.

I just saw it last week. Initial reports indicate that it looks good and once people get the hang of it, it should meet its goals. Federal studies have shown that roundabouts drop the number of overall crashes by 35 percent and the number of injury crashes by 76 percent.

Hopefully as more people use it we will all see the benefits. With more roundabouts coming to the surrounding counties it will be something that more Minnesotans will need to get used to. The New York Transportation Department has posted a number of very helpful animations as to how to best use these changes. Simply getting used to slowing down should help, as reaction times will be longer and most impacts should be less severe.

2 Comments

  1. Gravatar for Tom
    Tom

    Mike, I was initially very skeptical of roundabouts but studies show they are much safer becuase they nearly eliminate the possibility of a high-speed collision at a busy intersection. Europeans have used them effectively for decades and I hope U.S. communities will start to do this. I nearly lost a brother in law in an accident when the other driver ran a red light and this never could have occurred had it been a roundabout intersection. It is simply a matter of american drivers getting used to them.

  2. Gravatar for Mike Bryant
    Mike Bryant

    I was out in Hutchinson yesterday, so got a chance to drive through/around three of them. I agree, in the long run they will save a number of lives. Thanks for taking the time to read and comment.

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