In recent years, roundabouts have become increasingly popular in the transportation departments of Missouri and states throughout the U.S. as a way to increase intersection efficiency. However, many St. Louis motorists are not terribly fond of roundabouts, claiming that they are intimidating, confusing and dangerous.

But after a recent car accident study which concluded that roundabouts increase both traffic safety and efficiency, it is unlike that they will be going away any time soon. In fact, you will probably see many more of them in city intersections and interstate off-ramps in the very near future.

The study, which was conducted by researchers at the University of Wisconsin's Traffic Operations and Safety Laboratory, involved an examination of video taken at approximately 15 intersections containing roundabouts. Researchers focused on various factors of the traffic in the roundabout such as the type of motor vehicle, how the drivers entered the roundabout and the speed at which they were driving.

Researchers reportedly found that the speed at which the drivers were traveling through the roundabout contributed greatly to the safety of the intersection. Specifically, they found, because motorists were driving at a fairly slow speed through the roundabout, there was time to react if they encountered another vehicle.

In addition, researchers also analyzed accident for nearly 24 intersections, comparing car crash rates from before and after the installation of a roundabout. They found that there had been no fatal accidents in the years after the roundabout had been built, and that the total number and overall severity of crashes in the intersections decreased.

Source: University of Wisconsin-Madison, "Roundabouts emerging as the ideal intersection between driver safety and efficiency," Renee Meiller, Feb. 1, 2012