The case for roundabouts

Dear Editor,

Historically, roundabouts have been given a bad reputation in American culture. They are depicted as impossible to get out of and difficult to navigate. However, most Americans only know what negative things they see or hear about them.

I would like to defend roundabouts, explain what makes them great tools, and why they should replace four way stops and some traffic light intersections in Sallisaw. I think they are actually safer, more efficient, can increase property value, and in some cases are more cost effective.

Roundabouts are commonly confused with traffic circles, however, they are drastically different. Both utilize the circular shape to move traffic, but traffic circles need traffic lights while roundabouts do not.

A roundabout is widely used in America and on a global scale. So, why do many people in America view roundabouts in a negative way? I think it boils down to lack of knowledge, not having knowledge or exposure, and just being scared.

Humans get used to what they know and often fear change; in my own driver’s test many years ago, roundabouts were not even mentioned. It wasn’t until later that I went through my first one in Kansas City, Mo. I still recall the feeling of uncertainty and confusion, however, that subsided after exposure. It wasn’t until I lived in Germany that I got used to and fully understood how safe and efficient roundabouts are.

In the popular show, Mythbusters, the main hosts take common myths and test them using science and practical experiments. During one of their experiments, four way stops and roundabouts were put to the test to see which one was more efficient.

The crew was given a 15-minute time frame to move vehicles through both a four way stop and a roundabout. In conclusion, it was found that the four way stop moved 385 vehicles versus the roundabouts’ 460.

This speaks greatly to how well roundabouts can move traffic in a small time frame. Having this type of efficiency in Sallisaw would greatly decrease confusion at four way stops to see who goes first, and also move traffic quicker.

Another great benefit to having roundabouts is that they are actually safer than four way stops and traffic light intersections. I am fully aware traffic incidents occur in roundabouts. However, because the roundabout forces vehicles to slow down and the angle in which the vehicles strike each other, fatal crashes and injuries drop, versus four way intersections and traffic light intersections.

Drivers entering the roundabout yield to traffic from the left so it simplifies drivers having to look right, then left, then straight to determine who goes next. There are many times where I have witnessed the confusion drivers have at four way stops trying to see which vehicle goes next.

Not only are there safety and efficiency benefits to roundabouts, there are also financial benefits. Roundabouts, when implemented, tend to raise property values of housing in the local area. One reason is because you can add art or create amazing landscaping pieces in the center of the roundabout, which makes people want to be a part of and visit the community.

In Stillwater, a roundabout is in place with a strong cowboy riding his horse who is seen leaping through the air surrounded by plants, bushes and flowers. This is a great example of just some possibilities of having a roundabout.

We can even take this a step further by letting local businesses sponsor roundabouts in town. The center can be used to advertise locally owned businesses and the revenue could go to the city of Sallisaw. Roundabouts can also replace traffic light intersections and reduce the need of having crews of teams repair traffic lights when they malfunction.

In some cases, extra police officers are necessary to help the flow of traffic, which means we are spending more on having police officers in dangerous environments directing traffic, when they could be better used elsewhere.

Roundabouts, historically, are proven safer, more efficient, and can have many financial benefits to the local community and its businesses. I understand that there would be a learning curve, however, by slowly implementing one roundabout, I believe the community would begin to see the benefits of having them and what makes them great tools.

A great place, I believe, to implement Sallisaw’s first roundabout would be at the intersection of East Creek and South Wheeler Ave. This would allow drivers to get used to the function of a roundabout in what is usually a lower traffic area compared to some other intersections in town.

JAKEB CURRY, SALLISAW