What do you think about roundabouts?
There’s been a lot of talk lately about roundabouts in Southwest Roanoke County. (We even have an online game to help you navigate one.)
Maria Roman e-mails us to share this thought:
“Europe has had roundabouts for a long time. It saves time, it IS safer and is cost effective. The only problem is that if you install one, the drivers need to get educated on HOW to drive it. Cars IN the roundabout have the right of way, THEY do not stop. Those OUTSIDE of the round about need to yield (NOT STOP ALL THE TIME) but slow down to see if they can enter the round about. The one installed on Colonial and Penn Forest Blvd had reduced congestion during peak times. It was almost impossible to make a left onto Penn Forest Blvd. before or at least try to turn without getting hit by a speeding oncoming car.”
What do you think about the roundabout in Southwest Roanoke County? You can leave a comment below or email us at news@swo-co.com.
July 9, 2010 - 9:53 AM
The signage at our roundabout is lacking…..the placement of the yield signs is too far into the circle, making it questionable who is supposed to yield. Also, the arc on the side of the roundabout on Colonial coming from Electric Road toward Brambleton is so negligible that drivers (mostly the impatient ones) don’t see the roundabout as affecting them and blow right through it.
I agree a properly used roundabout has improved the traffic flow at that intersection, but we are nearly a year into using the roundabout and the driver awareness is not getting any better. We are in our second summer of having to use detours in our neighborhood and it is getting a bit tiresome.
I agree w/ Maria Roman completely.