Sounding off on roundabouts

Readers share thoughts about traffic circles coming to area Earlier this week we asked readers to share their views on the roundabouts being constructed along Dan Jones Road and Raceway Road in the Avon area.

[Kevin Hogan]

The main problem with roundabouts in the US is that people don't know how to drive on them. Everyone wants to stay in the right hand lane all the way around the circle. If you are going to drive more than 1/4 of the way around you move to the center until you are approaching your exit. That way people can get on and off with the minimum of stopping. I have driven in England on roundabouts before and that is how it is done there. The English have many years of experience with them and some of their roundabouts are double ones - think of a figure eight. The few times that I have driven the roundabouts in Carmel I wasn't impressed and my best guess is that the Avon roudabouts will result in more fender-benders and reduced traffic flow.

[Jon Anderson]

Roundabouts are AWESOME!

That's where I'll be and I'll shout about it!

[Fishers Resident]

I think its great that people complain about too much traffic, then complain when something is done to fix the traffic problems. You just have to love the positive attitudes!

[Like it is]

Why couldn't Helen Keller drive?

Because she was a woman!

(I'll be here all week, try the veal!)

[Khan]

Round abouts are great. I travel from the northwest side of Carmel every day with one stop sign. Unlike France where people in the round about yield to those entering, you yield to those already in the round about. Couldn't be simpler. Surely Hoosiers can cope with something that the French have managed to screw up.

[Rusty Shackleford]

The Roundabouts are a great concept and they will help more than most will be willing to admit. First of all, they are in use in other places. People will get used to it.

The most important point is that one lane than moves well will always beat three that don't. The suggestion that Dan Jones be made 4 lane from Brownsburg to Plainfield will happen some day, but that expense should be delayed as long as possible,

Folks will complain the first time they see congestion with the roundabout. We can have roads with zero congestion. But if you think you taxes are too high now, you'd really hate them then.

[Heather]

It is actually Raceway Rd and Morris-partly in Avon and the other in Indpls(wayne township). I have drove Carmels roundabouts and they work well if you know what you are doing.

[Heather]

Error in my last message-maybe they are doing one there but they are also doing one where I said.

[Rob C]

Kevin Hogan wrote:

The main problem with roundabouts in the US is that people don't know how to drive on them.

No, the main problem with roundabouts in the US is that people don't know how to BUILD them! Planners seem to think that they can build a roundabout in the same amount of space as a stop-light, and it will be perfectly safe. Look at the roundabouts on Hazel Dell Parkway as an example. The circles are so small that Hazel Dell traffic doesn't even need to slow down, and cross-traffic merges at almost a 90-degree angle!

If you build a roundabout properly, with plenty of distance to merge and change lanes, it can be safer and more efficient than a traffic light. But if you build them like Carmel does, you're just replacing traffic lights with yield signs, and creating deathways.

[what high taxes]

Rob C wrote:

<quoted text>
But if you build them like Carmel does, you're just replacing traffic lights with yield signs, and creating deathways.

Deathways? How many deaths have there been at roundabouts in Carmel?

[Slowed Down]

"Regarding the flow of traffic on Raceway, I have this to say: The light pattern at (County Road) 100 South and Raceway has puzzled me since I moved to Avon in March. It is set up so that only one lane of traffic can go at a time."

Have you noticed the lack of turn lanes and the lack of shoulder to drive around cars making left turns? That is why the light is setup the way it is.

[Susan Fischer]

Following up to what was printed in the paper on Saturday, I had contacted my neighborhood liasion on Wednesday, July 11 and by Thursday night, when I came home from work, there WERE signs posted in our Avon Creek Estates neighborhood entrances asking people to SLOW DOWN through our neighborhood. Thus, my published comments were already old news by Saturday. Susan Fischer, Indianapolis

[JMD]

I think the whole idea of a roundabout at Dan Jones and 100 S is a joke. This is not about to fix our traffic problem here although it may look pretty. When traffic is bad during rush hours it is backed up from Hwy 36 sometimes it is backed up to 150 S. How can you move anyone through a roundabout when the traffic is not moving beyond it? It will be interesting. I think we could have done a better fix by making Dan Jones 4 lanes with turn lanes from Plainfield to 36 for less money and accommodate more traffic.

[Medea]

I hate roundabouts. There are just too many idiots who don't understand what the word "yield" means.

[ScuseMe]

Medea wrote:

I hate roundabouts. There are just too many idiots who don't understand what the word "yield" means.

You mean you hate idiots who don't understand what the word yield means...?

[Scott]

Rob C wrote:

<quoted text>
No, the main problem with roundabouts in the US is that people don't know how to BUILD them! Planners seem to think that they can build a roundabout in the same amount of space as a stop-light, and it will be perfectly safe. Look at the roundabouts on Hazel Dell Parkway as an example. The circles are so small that Hazel Dell traffic doesn't even need to slow down, and cross-traffic merges at almost a 90-degree angle!
If you build a roundabout properly, with plenty of distance to merge and change lanes, it can be safer and more efficient than a traffic light. But if you build them like Carmel does, you're just replacing traffic lights with yield signs, and creating deathways.

Carmel's roundabouts are fine. I've used them all, and I've driven in Europe. Part of the idea is that you DON'T HAVE to slow down much if you're not yielding. The whole concept is to keep traffic flowing, and that doesn't mean dropping to 5-10 mph to get into the roundabout. I use the one at 96th and Westfield/Rangeline a few times a day, and the biggest problem is that drivers don't seem to understand that if a car is 90 degrees from you, you can pull out and get safely into traffic before it gets to you. Another clue for the readers: You start looking for traffic BEFORE you start slowing down - and if you can move through WITHOUT stopping, you do so! That's the whole idea of replacing a 4-way stop with a roundabout - if you don't HAVE to stop, you DON'T. THAT'S where the efficiency comes from (both time and fuel).

[Scooter57]

Roundabouts are great! It's just Hoosiers having low ability as drivers that make them so complex.

PS. I lived in Europe for many years. Driving skills in the US suck, those in Indiana just suck worse than the national average.

[EMPRESS JAYSHA]

Scooter57 wrote:

Roundabouts are great! It's just Hoosiers having low ability as drivers that make them so complex.
PS. I lived in Europe for many years. Driving skills in the US suck, those in Indiana just suck worse than the national average.

Take a taxi in London to the Airport! Then tell me about americans driving badly! White knuckle time! Of corse the taxi ride in New York city was just about as bad!!!

Never tell a taxi driver you are in a hurry!!!

[StressedBladder]

Dont Worry Be Happy...:)

[nzkiwi]

I agree that roundabouts are definitely beneficial - as long as people understand how to drive around them and utilize the centre lane accordingly!