POLL: Do Roundabouts Support Traffic Safety?

Traditional American attitudes about traffic roundabouts were probably best summed up in the 1985 film “National Lampoon’s European Vacation,” when Clark Griswold famously “can’t get left.”

But in Wisconsin and the United States, roundabouts have been increasingly developed at problem intersections. Wisconsin has more than 200 roundabouts, according to the state Department of Transportation. Three have been added on the , and they are sprinkled throughout suburban counties.

Not everyone loves them, of course. , with overwhelming community support.

And an in Port Washington ignited a debate about safety of that area on Patch, with a fair amount of support for roundabouts. User Angel days wrote:

The great thing about round-abouts though is that it reduces the chance of life threatening injuries because you have to go slower. I agree, people don't know how to use them yet but that is because they are new to most. People will eventually figure that out.

Do you think roundabouts are a good idea, or are they just a crazy mess? (“Look, kids … Parliament.”) Vote in our poll and then take part in an online discussion in the comments.