The state Department of Transportation announced that roundabouts provide safe, efficient travel across the commonwealth. Since 2005, 104 roundabouts have been built to improve traffic flow and/or decrease crash severity. 

“For us, it’s simple. Roundabouts remove cross-traffic turns and eliminate T-bone crashes, while improving traffic flow,” said PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll. “Any design that dramatically reduces the most serious crashes we see on the road is worthy of consideration in our projects.” 

PennDOT used 20 years of data from roundabouts around the state. Study findings showed that crashes with injuries were reduced by 51% and total crashes decreased by 7%.  national studies that found changing two-way sign-controlled intersections to a single-lane roundabout reduced injury crashes by more than 80%. Likewise, changing a signalized intersection to single-lane or multilane roundabout reduced crashes with injuries by up to 78%. 

To learn more about these safety studies, as well as tips to help residents safely navigate roundabouts, click here for the press release.