Roundabout is safe alternative in Marion

I have read about the controversial proposed improvements on Seventh Avenue in Marion. I was not surprised by comments of those opposed that if the city council dropped the roundabout, they would accept the rest of the proposal. Roundabouts are not common to most Iowans. However, after some use, they became easy to maneuver.

In the AARP Driver Safety Program, which was revised in 2006, we teach classroom participants about roundabouts because they are becoming more common. As an instructor for this defensive driving class, I recently taught a class in the Ottumwa-Bloomfield area. Participants who were familiar with the roundabout at the south edge of Ottumwa had very favorable views.

We also explain these documented benefits:

l They save time with better traffic flow, with no red-light waiting.

l They save fuel and therefore there is less vehicle emissions.

l Speeds are slower than at intersections.

l They are safer for pedestrians and bicyclists.

l They are safer for autos with fewer T-bone and head-on crashes (almost none), 40 percent fewer crashes, 75 percent fewer injuries, 90 percent fewer fatalities.

I hope the Marion City Council will proceed with the improvements as planned.

Larry J. Neppl

Iowa AARP Driver Safety Program

Marion