Are Roundabouts Really Safer For New York Drivers?

Love them or hate them, roundabouts appear to make most New York roads safer.

Most Hudson Valley drivers can agree that all we want when we get behind the wheel of our vehicles is a safe, traffic-free drive to our destinations, right? One thing we can't agree on is whether or not roundabouts make New York roads safer.

Do Roundabouts Make New York Safer?

It's a question that has been asked numerous times and usually results in drivers arguing back and forth about the pros and cons of roundabouts. The New York State Department of Transportation is hoping to put the roundabout argument to rest once and for all by sharing some interesting facts that appear to confirm that roundabouts are safer.

A recent social media post by the NYSDOT reignited the argument by stating, "Roundabouts are used because they are safer. Period. Fullstop!" The post admitted that anytime roundabouts are mentioned, they receive the same comments every time. "We see the same comments every time we post about a roundabout. 'They cause more crashes,' 'Just put in a light,' 'Get rid of them," said the NYSDOT.

Roundabouts Make New York Roads Safer

The post explained that traditional intersections (above) have 32 vehicle conflict points. On the flip side, roundabouts only have 8, which results in a 75% reduction in places where vehicles can collide. An intersection with fewer conflict points means fewer crashes.

SEE ALSO: New Roundabout Planned at Intersection in Dutchess County

"And when crashes do happen, they are lower speed and far less severe. This is not opinion. It is not a guess. It is decades of global, national and state data," said the NYSDOT. "You do not have to like roundabouts. But they reduce serious injuries. They reduce fatalities. And they keep traffic moving."

The post encouraged drivers to get used to roundabouts because they aren't going anywhere soon. If the NYSDOT is thinking about adding more in the Hudson Valley, here are some suggestions...