Americans Trying To Use First Roundabout In Town

[Brás Garcia de Mascarenhas]

You see, roundabouts - while considered commonplace in the UK and Europe - aren't usually found in America, where they prefer things to be done in a straight line.

That means that when you drop a roundabout down there, people really seem to get confused as to how it works.

In this instance, authorities stuck one right over a junction in Rowan County, Kentucky. They probably didn't think that it would end up going as badly as it did.

In the video, which was shot by Walker Construction, cars can be seen taking the wrong exits, or sometimes even heading completely the wrong way around the roundabout.

It's tough for a piece of machinery to look confused, but when you watch the video, you'll see what we mean.

Furthermore, the drivers of the local area aren't happy about it, because they believe that the old four-way stop junction was doing the job perfectly.

To be fair, they probably have a point. Especially if this is the way they're planning to use the new junction.

This roundabout is the first to be installed in north-eastern Kentucky, and it seems like it could be the last, given how it has worked out.

A local called Jason Whisman told news outlet WYKT: "It's going to throw them for a loop. A complete 360. No doubt about it."

Walker Construction explained that they only shared the video in the hope of educating people how not to use a roundabout.

It's certainly good for that.

The plan is - according to KYTC - that the roundabout was installed because they are proven to be safer than the other types of junction, particularly in areas that are busy and see a lot of traffic pass through each day.

A transport official recently told local news: "We're looking at a way to reduce the severity of crashes that this intersection has a history of."

Another driver added: "I'm sure that it's going to take them a while to get used to it, but once they get used to it, I'm sure it's going to work very well."

According to data from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, roundabouts cut down on crashes by 38 percent and fatal or incapacitating crashes by 90 percent, by significantly removing the chance of a head-on or T-bone collision.

They are also greener, as cars don't have to stop or start as much when using them.

So, it seems as though people on that side of the pond will just have to get used to them.

Source: https://www.ladbible.com/news/intere...rings-20210416

[JosephK]

I just moved up to northern Wisconsin and there's loads of new roundabouts/traffic circles here... it's pretty annoying. I was comfortable with them in the UK, but it's different here, they seem unnecessary, or they're not in the right spots where it might make sense. Sometimes you'll come off of an expressway, and see a sign with a gas station "to the left", then you end up in a roundabout with four exits... which way to the gas station?!?!

[Brás Garcia de Mascarenhas]

I just moved up to northern Wisconsin and there's loads of new roundabouts/traffic circles here... it's pretty annoying. I was comfortable with them in the UK, but it's different here, they seem unnecessary, or they're not in the right spots where it might make sense. Sometimes you'll come off of an expressway, and see a sign with a gas station "to the left", then you end up in a roundabout with four exits... which way to the gas station?!?!

It is a matter of habit. Roundabouts in here are so common that it never occurred to me that in the U.S. they were practically nonexistent.

[Alexandro]

Roundabouts are very common in the New England area, although they call them "rotaries" for whatever reason. I remember one in Somerville that was a fuckin' death trap, having a stop light before a roundabout completely defeats the purpose of a roundabout....also, there is a damn stop light IN the roundabout!



Source: I lived in the Boston area for a couple years.

[JosephK]

It is a matter of habit. Roundabouts in here are so common that it never occurred to me that in the U.S. they were practically nonexistent.

Yeah, honestly they're something people have to get used to, but in the meantime seem dangerous. They're not exactly intuitive for a lot of people.

[Óttar]

Roundabouts are very common in the New England area, although they call them "rotaries" for whatever reason. I remember one in Somerville that was a fuckin' death trap, having a stop light before a roundabout completely defeats the purpose of a roundabout....also, there is a damn stop light IN the roundabout!

Source: I lived in the Boston area for a couple years.

Yes, there are many in New England. There was one on the way into Watertown, Mass where I lived for 4.5 years. It was confusing. I don't like them. So they supposedly save some time, so what? I don't know how in the world they are supposed to cut down on head-on collisions if you don't know which way to go.

[gixajo]

When I got my driving license, I had nightmares about this roundabout in my city:

[frankhammer]

Yeah, honestly they're something people have to get used to, but in the meantime seem dangerous. They're not exactly intuitive for a lot of people.

When they were introduced into NZ decades ago, people saw the logic immediately. Being a right-hand drive nation, you give way to those on your right. Pretty simple, really.

[JosephK]

When they were introduced into NZ decades ago, people saw the logic immediately. Being a right-hand drive nation, you give way to those on your right. Pretty simple, really.

I think the big problem in the US is that we're not taught to drive--that is, no "drive theory"; learning to drive means learning to operate a vehicle. The rules of the road are a complete mystery to most Americans, so no one has any way of understanding which lane they need to be in when they're entering a roundabout...

[frankhammer]

I think the big problem in the US is that we're not taught to drive--that is, no "drive theory"; learning to drive means learning to operate a vehicle. The rules of the road are a complete mystery to most Americans, so no one has any way of understanding which lane they need to be in when they're entering a roundabout...

That is frightening fact to learn This gives context to the OP's video and the seemingly random entry and exiting of that roundabout.

It takes a couple of years to earn a license here. You can fast track it a little bit by passing paid defensive and safe driving courses.