Roundabouts increase safety when used properly Published May 13, 2013 By Tech. Sgt Ramone Hayes 99th Air Base Wing Safety NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. -- Motorists have enjoyed the benefits of four roundabouts here since June 2012. Modern roundabouts have been shown to provide a number of safety, operational and other benefits when compared to other types of intersections by using a geometric design to reduce vehicle speed. Drivers should familiarize themselves with entering and exiting roundabouts on base and in the greater Las Vegas valley to reduce your chances of being involved in an preventable accident. Traditional intersections, with stop signs or traffic signals, frequently see severe collisions as a result of vehicles traveling through the intersection at high speeds. The design of a roundabout reduces these common types of crashes because vehicles are always traveling in the same direction. One common point of confusion is how to effectively enter a roundabout. When approaching a roundabout, you should see a yellow "roundabout ahead" sign with an advisory speed limit. Slow down, and watch for pedestrians in the crosswalk and vehicles already in the roundabout. Continue forward and look to your left as you slow down or stop in order to let the traffic in the roundabout pass. Once you see a gap in traffic, enter the circle and proceed to your exit. When exiting, look for pedestrians and use your turn signal to inform other drivers your intentions are to exit. By following these traffic laws you can proceed to your destination safely while saving on time.
