If you’ve been driving through U.S. cities and towns, you’ve likely noticed an increase in roundabouts replacing traditional four-way intersections. Some drivers embrace them as an efficient traffic solution, while others find them confusing or even intimidating.
But what exactly is a roundabout, and why is it becoming a preferred alternative to stop signs and traffic signals? Roundabouts are not just about traffic flow—they are a safer, more efficient, and environmentally friendly way to design roads.
Let’s break down what roundabouts are, how they work, and why they are considered one of the most effective traffic management solutions today.
What is a Roundabout? Understanding the Basics
A roundabout—also known as a rotary or traffic circle—is a circular intersection where vehicles move counterclockwise around a central island. Unlike traditional intersections controlled by stop signs or traffic lights, roundabouts operate using a yield-at-entry system, meaning:
✔ Drivers entering the roundabout must yield to vehicles already circulating.
✔ Traffic flows continuously, reducing congestion and unnecessary stops.
✔ Speeds are naturally reduced, leading to safer driving conditions.
Most roundabouts also include:
🔹 Splitter islands – Raised medians that help slow down traffic before entering.
🔹 Pedestrian crosswalks – Positioned away from the central island to increase safety.
🔹 Lane markings – Clear indicators help guide drivers into the correct exit lane.
The result? A smoother, safer, and more efficient intersection that reduces both traffic delays and accidents.
A Brief History of Roundabouts
Many people assume roundabouts are a modern innovation, but their history dates back hundreds of years.
Video : Roundabout Safety Benefits
- 1700s – Early versions of circular intersections appeared in Europe, particularly in England and France.
- 1800s-1900s – Washington, D.C. was designed with multiple traffic circles, inspired by European models.
- 1950s – The United Kingdom introduced the yield-at-entry rule, transforming roundabouts into the efficient system we use today.
- 1990s – The first modern roundabout in the U.S. was built in Summerlin, Nevada in 1990.
- Today – Over 10,000 roundabouts exist in the United States, with more being installed every year.
While roundabouts have been common in Europe and Australia for decades, the U.S. is now rapidly adopting them due to their proven safety and efficiency benefits.
Why Roundabouts Are Safer Than Traditional Intersections
One of the biggest reasons cities are replacing traditional intersections with roundabouts is safety.
1. Fewer Conflict Points = Fewer Accidents
A typical four-way intersection has 32 conflict points—areas where vehicle paths cross, increasing the risk of collisions. In contrast, a roundabout reduces conflict points to just 8.
This means:
✔ No head-on collisions
✔ No dangerous T-bone crashes
✔ Fewer high-speed impacts
According to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), roundabouts can reduce serious and fatal crashes by up to 90% when replacing a stop-controlled intersection. Even when replacing a traffic signal intersection, they reduce serious crashes by nearly 80%.
2. Lower Speeds = Less Severe Collisions
In a roundabout, vehicles enter and exit at lower speeds (15-25 mph), compared to the higher speeds (40-50 mph) seen at traditional intersections.
Lower speeds lead to:
✔ Less severe crashes
✔ Fewer pedestrian injuries
✔ Easier decision-making for drivers
3. Safer for Pedestrians and Cyclists
Roundabouts offer better protection for pedestrians because:
✔ Crosswalks are set back from the circular flow, allowing drivers to see pedestrians clearly.
✔ Pedestrians only cross one direction of traffic at a time, making crossings safer.
✔ Cyclists can either merge into traffic or use a designated bike path, depending on the design.
With these safety features, roundabouts significantly reduce pedestrian-related accidents compared to traditional intersections.
Efficiency: Why Roundabouts Improve Traffic Flow
Beyond safety, roundabouts are also more efficient than stop signs or traffic lights.
1. Less Waiting, More Moving
At a traditional intersection, cars must stop at red lights, even when there’s no cross traffic. In a roundabout:
✔ Traffic keeps moving – No unnecessary stops.
✔ Fewer backups – No long wait times during rush hour.
✔ Reduced driver frustration – No more waiting for a green light when there’s no oncoming traffic.
2. Eliminating Left Turns = Smoother Flow
One of the most dangerous and disruptive movements at an intersection is the left turn. Roundabouts eliminate left turns, forcing all vehicles to move in the same direction, improving:
✔ Traffic efficiency – No waiting for gaps in oncoming traffic.
✔ Driver decision-making – No confusion about when to turn.
3. Roundabouts Handle High Traffic Volumes Better
Unlike stop signs and traffic lights, which cause congestion during peak hours, roundabouts allow continuous movement, making them ideal for high-traffic areas.
Environmental Benefits: How Roundabouts Help the Planet
Roundabouts aren’t just safer and more efficient—they also have environmental advantages.
1. Reduced Fuel Consumption
✔ Less idling at red lights = less wasted fuel
✔ Lower speeds = better fuel efficiency
According to studies, roundabouts can reduce fuel consumption by up to 30%, making them a cost-effective solution for drivers.
2. Lower Carbon Emissions
Fewer stops and starts mean lower emissions, helping reduce air pollution in urban areas. Cities that replace signalized intersections with roundabouts see:
✔ Less smog and pollution
✔ Improved air quality
3. Less Road Maintenance Required
✔ No traffic signals = lower maintenance costs
✔ Roundabouts last longer than traffic lights
With less infrastructure to maintain, roundabouts save cities money in the long run.
Challenges: Why Some Drivers Struggle with Roundabouts
Despite their many benefits, some drivers remain hesitant about roundabouts. Common challenges include:
🚦 Confusion about yielding – Some drivers don’t understand that they must yield to circulating traffic before entering.
🚦 Merging issues – Drivers unfamiliar with roundabouts sometimes hesitate, causing unnecessary slowdowns.
🚦 Exit mistakes – Some drivers find it difficult to choose the correct exit and miss their turn.
However, studies show that once drivers become familiar with roundabouts, their confidence improves significantly.
Video : Principles of Intersection Safety
Final Thoughts: Are Roundabouts the Future of Road Design?
Roundabouts are more than just a traffic trend—they are a safer, smarter, and greener solution for modern transportation. With their ability to reduce crashes, improve traffic flow, and lower emissions, they are quickly becoming a preferred alternative to traditional intersections.
🚗 Safer roads, fewer accidents
🚗 Smoother traffic, less congestion
🚗 Lower fuel costs, reduced pollution
As more states adopt roundabouts in urban and suburban planning, they will likely become a permanent feature of America’s roadways.
So next time you approach a roundabout, embrace the change—it’s making our roads safer and more efficient for everyone!
Mother Welcomed Her First Child at 66 and Has Lived with Public Rejection since Then
The memories of the day you become a parent will be ones you hold dear forever. A unique child who depends on you has just entered the world. You must provide them with the finest environment and encouragement while they work to achieve their goals.Adriana Iliescu gave birth to her first child in 2005, and because she was 66 at the time, her story received extensive media coverage.Adriana was overjoyed when her daughter Eliza was born.
She said, “Medically, it’s doable. It could be done, since I understand experiments with a 70-year-old woman are currently taking place in England. I am in good health and believe that having another child in the future is conceivable, but I’m not in a rush right now.Adriana and Eliza have a similar bond to most mothers and daughters over time. Eliza is a young child who is tremendously joyful, humorous, and intelligent.Although a lot of people have an opinion about Adriana’s age, the mother claims that Adriana is a great mother and takes good care of Eliza.
“I don’t consume alcohol or smoke. Eliza will be 20 years old when I die if I survive as long as my parents did. I still believe I have a lot to offer her.Adriana did not plan on getting pregnant at such a late age. When Adriana Iliescu was a young newlywed, she was forced to have an abortion due to health issues. She was 24 when her husband abandoned her.Adriana subsequently focused on other facets of her life, such as her job as a professor at a Romanian university.
As I was working, “I couldn’t even think about a child.”But I wasn’t ready to have children until I finished my doctorate at age 37. However, IVF did not exist back then.Adriana was 57 years old when in-vitro fertilization became an option in Romania. Adriana’s first pregnancy in 2000 resulted in miscarriage despite her attending counseling.Many people turned their backs on her because she wanted to have children. They thought Adriana was acting immorally, but she persisted in her desire to have children and never gave up.
Eliza was eventually born after receiving treatment from Dr. Bogdan Marinescu in Bucharest. Adriana had really been expecting triplets, but only Eliza survived after the other two died in the womb. Unfortunately, because of her premature delivery, she had to spend a lot of time in the NICU.
Adriana, who was deeply religious, wanted to baptize her daughter immediately after she had grown into a strong young child. Sadly, some religious organizations opposed Adriana having a kid at such a late age. At Eliza’s baptism, Adriana encountered weird looks from the nuns, one of them even referred to her as “the creation of dark energy.”
Adriana claims that Eliza is a gift from God. Today’s Adriana Iliescu
Adriana gave birth to her first child in 2022, which has been 17 years ago. Adriana is usually mistaken for Eliza’s grandmother, but they are currently having a great time together.
But the seasoned mother is still in great physical and mental shape. She is a very loving person, and that is what it takes to nurture a child.
Adriana is 83 years old and still writes. She claims to be in good health and has published more than 25 children’s novels. She appears to be a fantastic mother, but she still holds down a part-time professorship in Bucharest.
Adriana has also ensured that Eliza’s future is in capable hands.
When Adriana chose to use IVF, she made an agreement with the physician. He will be the girl’s godfather and legal guardian in the event that Adriana passes away.
Eliza, who is 17 years old, wants to study and attend college, but Adriana initially prefers to keep her family’s private affairs private. Eliza, who always makes the honor roll, continues on her mother’s academic tradition.
Compared to many people in their 25s and 30s, she appeared to be performing better. She is COMMITTED to her child and has no outside interests to divert her. Her daughter has an amazing energy and seems to be very content, happy, and well-rounded.
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