US Roads, could they use better design

[art clemons]

This oped piece from the Boston Globe implies that the US could cut deaths
and injuries by automobiles by significant numbers with a few simple
changes. Among the changes, fewer red lights. bumps in roads, better
marked pedestrian crossings and finally, a lot more rotaries. I don't know
if it's correct, but it is likely worth discussing.

<http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2009/08/18/roads_that_are_designed_to_kill/>
http://tinyurl.com/ml9wkr

[Shawn Hirn]

Post by art clemons
This oped piece from the Boston Globe implies that the US could cut deaths
and injuries by automobiles by significant numbers with a few simple
changes. Among the changes, fewer red lights. bumps in roads, better
marked pedestrian crossings and finally, a lot more rotaries. I don't know
if it's correct, but it is likely worth discussing.
<http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2009/08/18/
roads_that_are_designed_to_kill/>
http://tinyurl.com/ml9wkr

Rotaries? They're horrible. In NJ, a lot of money is being spent to
redesign rotaries. I suspect the reason why Sweden saw such a drop in
injuries in the areas of its new rotaries is because drivers there are
avoiding them like the plague.

[art clemons]

Post by Shawn Hirn
Rotaries? They're horrible. In NJ, a lot of money is being spent to
redesign rotaries. I suspect the reason why Sweden saw such a drop in
injuries in the areas of its new rotaries is because drivers there are
avoiding them like the plague.

Massachusetts has a considerable number of rotaries too. Properly designed
and with good signage, rotaries do work IF people obey the law. Of course
people don't always obey red lights either. Sweden is apparently adding
more rotaries and they apparently are happier with them.

I also note the claims of some Germans that ridding a town of lights and
forcing pedestrians, drivers and bicyclists to pay attention produces a
decrease in accidents also. I wonder if US drivers could deal with such
anarchy after seeing repeatedly how drivers behave when power fails and
there are no lights.