The article “Taking the roundabout way” (The Columbian, April 4) stated that “It’s unclear where Clark County residents stand on roundabouts.” Here is my vote. First the positive. I know of two roundabouts that work pretty well. Both are single lane and on backwater streets. The first in at the west end of Officers Row. The second is on the east side of the Salmon Creek Fred Meyer. There is no question as to where your car is supposed to be.
The problem comes with multiple-lane roundabouts. The signs of what lane one has to be in to go through or exit are usually not far enough back from the intersection. When there are multiple roundabouts, like Pioneer Street in Ridgefield, drivers frequently are in the wrong lane, cutting off other drivers anywhere in the circle.
I would contend that instead of eight vehicle conflicts in these roundabouts there are actually a near infinite number. Also, the exits are so close together a turn signal only serves to confuse. If these are so safe why are there signs to not get in the roundabout with a truck? I have been debating this with my traffic engineer neighbor for years.
