Traffic flows better with roundabouts

To the editor:

What's wrong with roundabouts? Not much, other than roundabouts can be somewhat intimidating when first encountered. Usually, after becoming familiar with navigating through them, most drivers prefer roundabouts to traffic lights or all-way stop signs.

The question that should be asked: 'What's wrong with traffic lights and all-way stop signs?” Not only do these devices interrupt a smooth flow of traffic, but the tailpipes of stopped vehicles spew forth pollutants while drivers wait to proceed.

Prairie du Chien, Wis., is a good example how roundabouts can eliminate bottlenecks and greatly improve traffic flow. The city recently converted three intersections on a major thoroughfare to roundabouts. Not only has waiting at red lights been eliminated, but at the State Highway 35 and westbound U.S. 18 intersection, northbound drivers trying to turn left toward Iowa no longer have to wait for a break in a string of oncoming southbound traffic.

Of course roundabouts have been popular in Europe for a long time. France alone has about 40,000 of them and the U.K. even has a Roundabout Appreciation Society.

The recently reconstructed intersection on Blairs Ferry Road in front of Target would have been better served with a roundabout instead of installing another set of traffic lights. There was plenty of open real estate available for a roundabout. The lights will only add another stop-and-go hurdle for through traffic on that busy road.

Hugo Kann

Marion