You know, it’s been almost 20 years since the Treasure Valley got its first roundabout, and yet every time I go through one, I see at least one person who has absolutely no idea what’s happening.
A Treasure Valley First 20 Years Ago
I remember when the first major roundabout came into Canyon County in 2006 at Happy Valley and Amity. At the time, people acted like it was some sort of alien technology dropped into the middle of Idaho.
Two Decades Later And Idaho Still Struggles
Some people stop when they don’t need to stop. Some people don’t yield when they should. Some people treat the whole thing like a four-way stop. And every now and then you’ll find somebody who seems to think they’re entering the Indy 500.
Why Idaho Uses More Roundabouts
The folks at the Idaho Transportation Department love roundabouts because they reduce severe crashes, keep traffic flowing, and eliminate a lot of the dangerous T-bone collisions that happen at traditional intersections. Roundabouts also reduce congestion because drivers don’t have to sit through red lights.
The Most Common Roundabout Mistakes That Idaho Drivers Make
1. Failing to Yield When Entering
The most important rule is also the simplest: drivers entering the roundabout must yield to traffic already inside it. If a vehicle is already in the roundabout, let it pass before entering.
2. Treating a Roundabout Like a Four-Way Stop…