Roundabouts are safer than traditional stop sign or signal-controlled intersections. Roundabouts reduce injury crashes by 75 percent at intersections where stop signs or signals were used. This is according to a study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
Roundabouts help reduce the likelihood and severity of crashes
Low travel speeds – Drivers must slow down and yield to traffic before entering a roundabout. Speeds in the roundabout are typically between 15 and 20 miles per hour. The few crashes that occur in roundabouts are typically minor and cause few injuries since they occur at such low speeds.
No light to beat – Roundabouts are designed to promote a continuous flow of traffic. Drivers yield to traffic before entering a roundabout. If there is no traffic in the roundabout, drivers are not required to stop. Drivers don’t have the incentive to speed up to try and “beat the light,” like they might at a traditional intersection. This is also beneficial when the power goes out. There is no confusion over an all-way stop.
One-way travel – Roads are gently curved to direct drivers into the intersection. The roadway directs them to travel counterclockwise around the roundabout. This eliminates the possibility for T-bone and head-on crashes.
Reduce delay and improve traffic flow – Roundabouts move more traffic through an intersection than traffic signals. Roundabouts promote a continuous flow of traffic. Drivers don’t have to wait for a green light at a roundabout to get through the intersection.
Less expensive to maintain – Traffic signals are high maintenance. They need electricity, software and electrical components to operate. Roundabouts are more affordable to maintain.
How do I drive a roundabout?
Check out our video
Want to experience driving a similar roundabout?
Visit and drive a similar roundabout in Vancouver, WA. View the roundabout in the photo or on Google Maps
If I ride a bike, what are my options at a roundabout?
Bicyclists can choose, depending upon their comfort level, whether to:
- Ride with traffic through the roundabout
- Walk their bicycles through a pedestrian crosswalk. For additional information, visit WSDOT’s walking and biking through roundabouts website.
To learn more about these topics and other benefits of roundabouts, visit our roundabout webpage.