Traffic Circles Coming to an Intersection Near You!

In the last year, I have noticed a dramatic increase in the number of traffic circles (or roundabouts) replacing traditional four-way intersections in Southern California. Traffic planners find roundabouts the solution improving traffic flow in cities and rural locations throughout the Golden State.

While efficient for many drivers, traffic circles are somewhat perplexing to motorists unfamiliar with the concept. After driving in Ireland, I quickly became accustomed to the rules and manners of navigating a roundabout. I eventually found they were fairly easy to use and concluded traffic circles are a more efficiently designed system for 4-way intersections than a 4-way traffic light or stop sign.

How to Navigate a Traffic Circle

What do you do when you come across a roundabout? First of all, don't panic. Just remember that you must yield to all crossing pedestrians, then to the traffic already in the roundabout. Once you are able to find a gap, enter into the traffic circle following the counter-clockwise rotation and don't stop until you have safely turned out of the roundabout.

If you are on a four-lane road, you will likely come across a two-lane roundabout. If you want to go straight, both lanes are acceptable to use. If you want to go left or make a u-turn, you should stay in the left lane as you approach the roundabout and enter the lane nearest to the center upon entry into the traffic circle. If you plan to make a right turn, then stay in the right lane of the road. It is best to pay attention to the signs preceding the intersection, as they will indicate the proper lanes for turning. (I have linked a video to guide you through using a roundabout.)

As with anything unfamiliar, most drivers are typically opposed to the conversion of traditional intersections to traffic circles. But once they become more familiar with the dynamics of a roundabout, a majority of the public eventually support traffic circles over traditional intersections.

Why are cities and counties in California falling in love with traffic circles? Because they are safe, efficient, cost-effective and environmentally friendly. In the United States, there are over 2,000 roundabouts.

Safety

According to a 2001 study by Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), roundabouts reduce injury crashes by 80% and all accidents by 40%. Similar results have been reported in other national studies as well as in Europe and Australia. The type of accidents that do occur usually are single car collisions with the center island or at the entrance. There are no right-angle or head-on collisions that occur in a roundabout.

In addition, pedestrians who cross at roundabouts 75% less likely to be struck by traffic as they would be at a traditional intersection.

Efficient

Studies have shown vehicle delays have dramatically been reduced by the conversion of the standard intersections into a roundabout. A study of three states (New Hampshire, New York, and Washington) concluded that roundabouts reduced vehicle delays by 89% and cut vehicle stops in half. Other studies have shown reductions in traffic from 13-65%.

Cost-Effective

Besides watering the plants and repainting the lines, traffic circles cost almost nothing to maintain. Traffic lights use electricity, need bulbs replaced, and have to be continually checked and maintained by city and state transportation workers.

Environmentally Friendly & Aesthetically Pleasing

Besides the reduction of electrical use, traffic circles reduce the levels of vehicle emissions and fuel consumption because cars are not idling at a traffic light or stop sign. Emission levels are reduced between 20-50% after the instillation of a roundabout. In addition, an IIHS study in Virginia pointed out that 200,000 gallons of fuel are conserved every year at ten traffic circles. Also, traffic circles can be pleasantly landscaped with beautiful flowers or a creative design (instead of the large metal poles hanging over a typical intersection with traffic lights).

Traffic circles are going to become more common in California, so it would be advisable to learn more about the laws and courtesies associated with them so that you are able to enjoy the efficiency, safety, and less-stressful drive that roundabouts provide. I'm confident you will navigate them much better than Clark Griswold's futile attempt in London (from National Lampoon's European Vacation)!.

A video that will help guide your way through a roundabout intersection.