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Today's Poll: What is your opinion of the roundabout now?

By Howard B. Owens
Howard B. Owens

I'm surprised so many people are still against the roundabout. I don't see what the issue is.

Contrary to predictions, it's proven no difficulty to plow. Contrary to predictions, there's been no apparent increase in accidents.

Traffic flows smoother than the old intersection.

It's now my route of choice when heading home from the West side to the town/city. It's an easier, faster route than continuing down Main to Ellicott.

To me, it's worked out quite well.

Jan 19, 2010, 12:13pm Permalink
Robert Tretter

I use it 4 to 6 times a day. It is growing on me. The problem I see is no one uses a blinker. You sit there while drivers keep coming and some turn before you, some keep going, all without blinkers. The circle is so sharp that you have to hold your blinker on. I use the blinker but I find that not many other people use it. Drivers will always be drivers. Some still don't yield and just go. I have almost got hit a few times already.

Also be careful some of the angled inside curbs were damaged early on in their construction and probably will cause some flat tires. The city manager stated this to the construction outfit before they left and it seems like the material they put in the curbs to fill the voids didn't last long. Be careful. The edges are real sharp. If you find a slice in your tire think if you used the circle.

Jan 19, 2010, 12:40pm Permalink
Richard Gahagan

Have a buddy that lives on Franklin round about porch parties involve watching idiots trying to figure out what to do. YES provides the background music. Its a riot.

I'll be the round about
The words will make you out 'n' out
You change the day your way
Call it morning driving thru the sound and
In and out the valley

Jan 19, 2010, 12:47pm Permalink
Doug Yeomans

The few times I've used it have been harrowing to say the least. Drivers have no clue who has the right of way and as Robert Tretter stated, the blinker issue is annoying. I avoid the roundabout if at all possible.

Jan 20, 2010, 7:04am Permalink
Howard B. Owens

I just don't get how it is harrowing. I've been through it dozens of times. Not a problem. Not a sense of any problem. And I've not observed any driver having any seeming problem with it.

Jan 20, 2010, 7:11am Permalink
Lori Ann Santini

The roundabout has created a unique emergency response problem. That is the only place that consistently people do part of what they are supposed to do when emergency vehicle approach. THEY STOP........however they cannot pull to the right as the Driving Law requires. With less then two vehicles widths to use. Responses can be a challenge because we have to dodge around vehicles around the middle elevated portion or wait and allow vehicles to overcome confusion and drive out of the roundabout. As Mr Tretter stated in his post the edges are sharp because of existing damage to the curbs. We stand a good chance of damaging a tire or two.

The roundabout is not the only place that people dont use turn signals. Consistently more and more people chose not to use them at all. This causes great confusion especially on two lane roadways when a vehicle stops dead in the road without signals as to what they plan on doing. Signals are not put on vehicles as an optional use item. They are required to be used. It doesn't take alot of effort to use the signals so it is curious why people do not use them.

Jan 20, 2010, 11:02am Permalink
jonathan bell

like most people from batavia i had never used a round a bout before untill the army stationed me in colorado where they seem to prefer round abouts. it took a little getting used to but theyre actually far easier then many realize. the right away goes just like a 4 way stop first vehical at the circle goes first then you use common sense.

Jan 20, 2010, 11:51am Permalink

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