PonyPotato

Roundabouts are actually practical with different types of traffic, Baraka (and the rest of you). Small roundabouts are ideal for intersections where there is a large flow of traffic on one of the roads, and lighter traffic on the other road. That way, the traffic on the larger road does not get slowed down (stop/go) or congested to the level of accidents while the small road doesn't have to wait YEARS at a stop sign/traffic light to get through. Drivers on both roads must slow down, but don't necessarily have to come to a complete stop, which keeps traffic moving.

Traffic lights and stop signs are more practical for heavy pedestrian areas so people can actually cross the street safely.. but roundabouts do extremely alleviate congestion and the horrible stop-go phenomenon. I love the roundabouts in NoVA for that reason, and there are a handful around here (in Ohio) that are finally doing what they're supposed to as people are learning how to drive through them. (i.e. discovering what YIELD really means, as opposed to STOP or ACCELERATE TO BEAT TRAFFIC)

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