ST. LOUIS — "Slow down, look around and be ready to yield": That's the roundabout slogan. You might be a driver who tries to keep those suggestions in mind, but there's a lot of fear that other motorists do not.
About 1,000 5 On Your Side viewers responded to our previous report on "The Roundabout Revolution." Most of the comments were positive about this newer traffic road concept, and the data shows how useful they can be at limiting accidents and traffic delays. But a large number of viewers said they worry about the unpredictability of other drivers in the roundabout.
So, we reached out to the Missouri State Highway Patrol to learn about the best way to navigate one.
"As you're approaching that roundabout, know that is a roundabout," Cpl. Dallas Thompson said. "Be watching for signs, pick a lane, and stay in that lane until it's time to make your exit. And it's not a big deal, it's a circle. It's okay to go around again (if you miss your turn) and exit safely at that time."
Then, we took it to the triple roundabout in Wildwood on Missouri Route 109 at Manchester Road. Most drivers drove the roundabout just fine, but an interesting by-product of the roundabout anxiety became clear: A few drivers were so worried about others that it affected how they drove the roundabout, which could have caused more slowdowns.
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