You've seen them. Those circular intersections that are used
instead of stop signs and traffic lights. There are over 1,200 roundabouts in
North America today and hundreds more planned. Do you know the benefits of these
"roundabouts"?
Because traffic moves more slowly through a roundabout and because there are no left turns in front of oncoming vehicles, there is a 40% decline in motor vehicle accidents and an 80% reduction in accidents involving injuries compared to intersections with traffic lights according to statistics provided by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
Roundabouts also improve the quality of life for the people living nearby. How?
- Slow moving traffic makes less noise than traffic that must stop and start, speed up and brake.
- Vehicles don't idle at roundabouts. Drivers use less gas by not idling, therefore releasing less exhaust fumes, improving the air quality.
So what are the "Dos and Don'ts" of using a roundabout?
- Yield to traffic already in the roundabout that comes to your immediate left before you enter.
- Enter the roundabout to your right (counter clockwise) when there is a gap in traffic and it is safe to do so.
- Continue around until you come to your exit.
- Never come to a full stop in a roundabout unless the traffic requires you to do so.
- Use your turn signal to let others know that you plan to exit.
- Exit at a slow speed.
- Watch for pedestrians at the crosswalk and be prepared to stop.
- If you miss your exit, keep on the roundabout until you reach it again.
Transportation engineers the world over refer to roundabouts as the safest, most efficient and attractive form of traffic control in the world. These roundabouts can help protect our environment and community.
So, in a roundabout way, roundabouts can actually help keep your insurance rates low by reducing your likelihood of getting into an accident. But to make sure you are paying the lowest rate available, visit InsuranceHotline.com and compare quotes from over 30 top insurance companies.