Have you noticed roundabouts replacing signalized intersections in Ohio?
As free-flowing roundabouts replace traffic lights, they’ve significantly increased safety, traffic-moving efficiency and lowered the number of crashes, according to the Ohio Department of Transportation.
But are Ohio's roundabouts big enough for trucks? Here’s why you’ve been seeing more of them and how to drive through them.
Are Ohio roundabouts big enough for trucks?
Roundabouts may seem small. Do they work for trucks?
Actually, they are big enough. Matt Bruning, ODOT Press Secretary, clarified in a Facebook post that a roundabout's "truck apron" allows semi trucks to clear the roundabout in case their wheels track up.
How to drive in a roundabout
Roundabouts got you
anxious? Well, they're meant to ensure your safety when you want to get to the other side of the road in an intersection. Never fear—here's how to drive in a single-lane roundabout.
- When you drive toward a roundabout, slow down. Roundabouts typically have speed limits of 20-30 mph
- Be sure to check the signs for which exit you want to take when leaving the roundabout
- Yield to ALL traffic in a roundabout
The Ohio Department of Transportation has several videos on how to drive in different types of roundabouts found on its YouTube channel.
What is the purpose of roundabouts?
Roundabouts are designed to make traffic safer and more efficient.
Due to their circular geometry, roundabouts help decrease speed and prevent high-angle crashes that occur in traditional intersections. With the low speed, crashes that do happen are less damaging and less fatal.
When a driver yields at the entry and waits their turn when there’s enough room, it creates an efficient flow with fewer delays.
Studies show roundabouts have reduced the number of crashes
According to the Federal Highway Administration, roundabouts that replaced two-way stop intersections have reduced serious injury and deadly crashes by 82%.
In addition, fatal crashes have decreased by 78% in traffic signal intersections replaced by roundabouts.
How big can a roundabout be? World's largest has a hotel inside
Roundabouts can have many lanes, not just one lane. Single-laned roundabouts can have more than 20,000 cars traveling through them every day, and double-laned roundabouts can have up to 50,000.
The world's largest roundabout, located in Malaysia, is 3.4 km (2.1 miles) in circumference, has 15 access points and contains a hotel and royal retreat in the middle, according to Guinness World Records.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Are Ohio roundabouts big enough for trucks? Yes, because of this feature
