Roads must intersect so that all travelers can reach their destinations safely when traffic flows in opposite directions, and drivers must make right or left turns. There are many types of intersections on Washington roadways, including roundabouts. A roundabout is a circular intersection where drivers first yield to those already in the roundabout. Once entering the intersection, vehicles travel counterclockwise around a center median, exiting the roundabout in their desired direction. If you were injured in a roundabout accident, please speak with an experienced car accident lawyer in Lake Stevens.
Roundabouts promote continuous traffic flow rather than “stop and go” traffic. They are also a growing trend in road planning nationwide, including in Washington, but do they really reduce car accidents?
What are the Proposed Benefits of Roundabouts?
According to the Federal Highway Administration, roundabout intersections increase traffic capacity by up to 50%, control traffic direction, and reduce speed. Unlike traditional intersections, drivers approaching a roundabout do not have an incentive to increase their speed to “beat” a light, but instead, must slow down to yield the right of way to those already in the roundabout. Speed limits in roundabouts are typically around 15 to 30 miles per hour. Roundabouts have one-way traffic, eliminating head-on collisions.
There are now over 500 roundabouts in Washington. Data published by the Washington State Department of Transportation shows the following benefits of roundabouts in Washington:
- Roundabouts reduce overall intersection collisions by 35%
- Injury accidents are reduced by 75% when roundabouts replace typical intersections with stop signs or signal lights
- Roundabouts show a 90% reduction in fatal crashes due to slower speeds
- Roundabouts reduce pedestrian accidents by 40%
Washington began adding roundabouts to improve traffic flow and reduce accidents and injuries in 1997. Although studies show that only about 31% of drivers approve of plans to construct a roundabout in their area before installation, this number increases to 63% after drivers use them and become accustomed to them.
Do Roundabouts Really Decrease Accidents In Washington?
Although roundabouts minimize traffic delays and significantly reduce accidents with serious injuries and fatalities, they do not decrease all types of accidents. There are fewer rear-end collisions, and almost no high-speed collisions associated with roundabouts; however, the following types of accidents are commonly associated with Washington roundabouts:
- Sideswipes, caused by motorists who fail to yield to traffic already in the roundabout or who enter too fast
- Forced roadway departures, or accidents in which one driver forces another off the road inside a roundabout
- Side-impact collisions caused by a driver entering a roundabout without yielding the right of way
Drivers also report increased confusion with locating their desired exits in roundabout intersections. Lane changes are prohibited in roundabouts, yet some drivers still attempt them, causing sideswipe accidents.
Understanding Roundabout Accident Injuries In Washington
Roundabout traffic moves more slowly than traffic at typical intersections and proceeds in only one direction, reducing the risk of serious or fatal injuries in a crash. However, roundabouts cannot prevent all car accidents, including those with property damage and mild to serious injuries. Injuries reported in roundabout accidents include whiplash, back injuries, soft-tissue injuries like sprains and torn ligaments, external head injuries, lacerations, contusions, and abrasions.
Roundabout accident victims have the right to recover compensation from the driver responsible for the accident for their injury-related damages, like medical expenses, lost earnings, and compensation for pain and suffering. Depending on the circumstances of an accident, a negligent road-planning agency may also be liable for damages if a confusing roundabout design or inadequate signage causes or contributes to an accident. Contact us today for a free consultation.