Arizona motorists may improve roadway safety by learning more about roundabouts, as described by the Federal Highway Administration. According to the FHWA, roundabouts may be considered alternative resource of highway initiatives that involve reconstruction or new construction. Roundabouts have also proven to be effective at providing safety improvements to intersections that already exist as well as high-speed rural intersection and interchange ramps terminals.
Roundabouts have proven to be effective at improving safety under a number of conditions, including rural and urban areas. The FHWA claims that roundabouts provide superior safety protection than all-way stop controls. Roundabouts have been effective in limiting speed and providing an area of transition from high speeds to low speeds. However, in order to make roundabouts accessible to all motorists, they typically need to have the appropriate design features, channelization and proper site selection.
The Highway Safety Manual claims that roundabouts provide substantial advantages in reducing injury or death than any other intersection forms or controls. Researchers found that a roundabout decreased the rate of overall crashes by 48 percent and those resulting in a fatality or severe injury by around 78 percent in comparison to signalized intersection. In comparison to the two-way stop, roundabouts have proven to have a 44 percent reduction in overall crashes and an 82 percent decline in those involving fatalities or severe injuries. Statistics indicate that approximately 2,300 people die at the 300,000 U.S. signalized intersections every year.
Motorists who have been injured in car crash caused by someone else may benefit from consulting legal counsel. Lawyers may investigate the crash and help identify which parties are liable for damages. Plaintiffs in these types of cases are usually awarded compensation to help account for medical costs, repair expenses and other hardships resulting from the incident.
Source: US Department of Transportation , “Proven Safety Countermeasures – Roundabouts“, December 19, 2014
