Provo Correspondent

PROVO -- Provo and Orem are roundabout pioneers in Utah. Between the two cities there are nine, with more in the planning stage.

Roundabouts are unfamiliar to many people who are more comfortable with traffic lights and stop signs. However, local officials say they believe roundabouts can increase traffic flow and are safer than traditional intersections. With experience and education, they hope more residents will welcome these traffic circles.

Provo's newest roundabout is on Freedom Boulevard, near The Provo Towne Centre. It was converted from a four-way stop. The first two roundabouts in Utah County were built in 1996 at Seven Peaks and UVSC.

Roundaboutsusa.com, a Web site devoted to discussions of roundabouts, defines them as "one-way circular roadways around a curbed central island for circulating traffic, usually with flared approaches to allow multiple vehicle entry."

Rather than stopping or waiting for a signal, a driver can enter a roundabout whenever there is space. Unlike a traffic light, which allows left turns from two directions at a time, four cars can make a left turn at one time in a roundabout.

Bill Baranowski, a roundabout engineer from Orem, says he hates "stopping for stop signs or stop lights, and roundabouts are always moving." He also cites the reduction in air pollution by fewer starts and stops and reduced idling time. Also, he said, the design of roundabouts keeps speeds low, causing fewer accidents.

Accidents that do occur are usually less severe. Another benefit is that roundabouts can be added to streets without widening them, thus preserving the character of rural roads. Only the intersection must be widened, Baranowski said.

How do you drive in a roundabout? Enter the circle and yield to traffic on the left. You don't need to stop if the way is clear, simply enter the roundabout, following the one-way arrows. An often overlooked courtesy is to use your turn signal right before exiting to indicate which turn you are taking. Remember to watch for pedestrians and bicyclists, and don't drive straight through the middle island.

Janet Knudson can be contacted at janet@bjornpress.com.

This story appeared in The Daily Herald on page C4.