Roundabouts Case

The residents of the city of St. Cloud seem less than pleased with the new addition of a roundabout on the intersection of 5th avenue and University Drive. It is important to know that roundabouts can be safer for drivers, pedestrians and cyclists.

Roundabouts are difficult to get used to driving in but they have many benefits that outweigh traditional four way stops and stop lights. Roundabouts reduce the amount of accidents by 39 percent, the amount of accidents with injury by 76 percent, and the amount of fatal accidents by 89 percent, according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation. This is because traffic is moving at a slower speed and the angle of collision impact is less. The slower speeds also make roundabouts safer for pedestrians.

Roundabouts can help with gas mileage as well; roundabouts cut fuel consumption and vehicle emissions by at least 30 percent, sometimes more. This is because it decreases idling and it takes less gas to keep a vehicle in motion than it does to bring a vehicle to a complete stop and then accelerate again.

Lower maintenance is also a benefit to having a roundabout rather than stoplights. Stoplights cost about $700 a year in electricity per intersection, also they sometimes fail due to loss of power and other electrical problems.

There is less delay with roundabouts compared to most stop signs and signals and roundabouts can handle high levels of traffic.

Cities all over Minnesota have been installing roundabouts at intersections that have high crash rates.

Once people get more used to the roundabout it might be easier see all these reasons that make roundabouts more safe for drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists. Drivers should slow down before entering and get into the proper lane. They should also remember not to stop or pass when inside the roundabout and if an emergency vehicle comes through exit immediately and then pull over and stop.