Our new roundabouts... a DOT fail? (Fairbanks, North Pole: insurance, purchase, live)

[BusyMeAK]

They are going to put one on Danby. Totally useless.

[mitgreb]

Nice? Lets see it with a foot of snow on it!

[ABQConvict]

Originally Posted by pnwguy2

Roundabouts are increasing everywhere, not just Fairbanks. However, I would offer that this concept is not suited for a snowy or icy climate.

Depends on your definition of snowy and icy, I suppose. There are thousands of roundabouts in Norway and Sweden.

[jfsoto1988]

I always thought Alaska was the state with the least traffic. There is no point for roundabouts in Alaska.

[Frostnip]

Originally Posted by jfsoto1988

I always thought Alaska was the state with the least traffic. There is no point for roundabouts in Alaska.

Yeah, they're totally unnecessary, since we all drive dogsleds or ride moose to work.

[AlaskaErik]

We've gotten a bunch of them in the Mat-Su over the past 10 years. They do have their place and I find traffic flows a lot smoother once they're installed. They also cut down on fatalities and severe injuries. I personally like having them.

[Music_Man]

I like them too but the dumb people that don't know how to use them P--- me off!

[RayinAK]

Originally Posted by Music_Man

I like them too but the dumb people that don't know how to use them P--- me off!

More than likely it is as follows:

Not all drivers on the roads aren't as experienced. Some may be young drivers, some may be very old drivers, some may be on a rush while others aren't, some may be paying attention to the traffic while others aren't, some may be driving under the influence, while some may have medical issues.

My wife for example, is very polite to other drivers. She is also cautious on the road, and sometimes takes her time to enter the roundabout, which in turn allows for other drivers on a rush to enter the roundabout at a faster rate of speed and in front of her (this drives me crazy sometimes, but I keep my mouth shut). However, she has never gotten a traffic ticket, nor has she been involved in a road accident. Several drivers have gotten speed-limit tickets by the North Pole police in the roundabouts there.

As I mentioned before, roundabouts that are designed with wide and circular turns and aren't covered under a bridge like the ones in North Pole, are just fine. The dog-bone shaped one in North Pole is quite narrow, and under a bridge.

[Music_Man]

I was complaining about the people who stop before going into a roundabout when there are no other cars in it!

[RayinAK]

Originally Posted by Music_Man

I was complaining about the people who stop before going into a roundabout when there are no other cars in it!

You are correct; I see that happening every now and then.