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What about roundabouts? ASK A TROOPER By SGT. CURT MOWERS Minnesota State Patrol There are roundabouts now in Minnesota and you will see more and more in the next few years. (As of 2007 inventory, some 47 roundabouts have been built, 24 were in construction, 20 were in design stage and another 50 planned/being considered). Studies by major research organizations have shown that roundabouts are much safer. Studies of roundabouts show that total crash numbers are reduced by 40 percent, while injury crashes are reduced by more than 70 percent and fatalities are almost non-existent! In 2007 at least 29 people were killed and more than 9,000 people injured in crashes at traffic signals. Roundabouts are generally single lane. Traffic all moves in the same direction, keeping traffic flowing better.
In modern roundabouts, you have to yield to persons already in the roundabout. (By definition, a modern roundabout has a yield sign.) Just watch for the signs before you enter. When you enter, you have to turn to the right (counter-clockwise), drive around in the lane until you get to the point where you want to turn off. So, if you were going straight ahead initially, you would just go past one turn then the next turn would put you going the same direction you had been traveling. Since speeds are greatly reduced to enter the roundabout, they are much safer if there is a crash. Roundabouts have no left turns. We know that left turns are proven to be about 75 percent more dangerous than a right turn. We also know that roundabouts are much safer for pedestrian traffic. Other benefits are that vehicles are not sitting idle in traffic wasting gas or putting out harmful emissions to motorists. It's nice not to have to waste time waiting for a stoplight too!
Roundabouts are a little different than what we are used to here in Minnesota, but motorists who use them will get used to them and come to appreciate them for what they are designed to do. Some people actually think they are kind of fun to drive on, at least the first few times anyway. What's better than saving lives, time and money? Also, roundabouts have a slightly raised portion that is to be used by the back wheels of semi-trucks and large vehicles. Anyone desiring more detailed information about roundabouts in Minnesota should contact their nearest Minnesota Department of Transportation Office or visit Mn/DOT's Web site by clicking onto www.dot.state.mn.us/roundabouts. Meanwhile, watch for more roundabouts!
If you have any questions for future columns concerning motor vehicle traffic in Minnesota, send your questions to: "Ask a Trooper," c/o Sgt. Curt S. Mowers, Minnesota State Patrol, P.O. Box 644, Brainerd, MN 56401. Questions are edited. E-mails are accepted at curtis.mowers@state.mn.us. Include "Ask A Trooper" in the subject line.
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