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Roundabouts are becoming more common in Southwest Florida. According to the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), a Roundabout is a one-way circular intersection without traffic signal equipment in which traffic flows counter clockwise around a center island that operates with yield control at the entry points, and gives priority to vehicles already in the Roundabout.

Experts believe Roundabouts are an efficient means of controlling traffic.  They eliminate the need for electronic traffic signals, allowing the free-flow of traffic to avoid congestion; they operate during power failures, reduce travel times and emissions, save fuel, and provide safer crossings for pedestrians and bicycles. But are they really safe?

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) in Modern Roundabouts - A Safer Choice reports that it has identified the modern Roundabout intersections as one of nine proven life-saving roadway safety strategies.  The FHWA says they are not only safer than traditional signalized and stop-controlled intersections, where appropriate and properly designed, but Roundabouts operate more efficiently.

FHWA cites the statistics that more than 20 people are killed and many more are injured at intersections every day in the U.S. Most of the deaths happen at intersections with right angle crashes that occur at signalized and controlled intersections.

"Roundabouts may be designed to be a safer way of controlling traffic, but they will only work if drivers know how to use them.  For new users of Roundabouts, they may be confusing.  As Lee, Collier and Charlotte County Personal Injury Attorneys, we are concerned and provide a link to the  Guide to Roundabouts from the Florida Department of Transportation," said Attorney Randall Spivey of Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A.

The Guide includes:

• What is a Roundabout with a diagram.
• Roundabout signs.
• Tips for Cars, Pedestrians and Bicyclists. 
• Why Roundabouts.
• Driving Roundabouts with instructions for Going Right, Going Straight, Going Left or Making a U Turn.

"Please review this important Guide to Roundabouts.  As they become more popular in Southwest Florida, it is important to know what to do before entering them," suggests Attorney Spivey.

Florida Accident Attorney, Randall L. Spivey is a Board Certified Civil Trial Attorney – the highest recognition for competence bestowed by the Florida Bar and a distinction earned by just one (1%) percent of Florida attorneys. He has handled over 2,000 personal injury and wrongful death cases throughout Florida. For a free and confidential consultation to discuss your legal rights, contact the Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A., in Lee County at  239. 337.7483 or toll free at 1.888.477.4839, or by email to Randall@SpiveyLaw.com.  Visit SpiveyLaw.com  for more information. You can contact Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A. in Charlotte County at 941.764.7748 and in Collier County 239.793.7748.