Roundabouts aren't safe for everyone
6:29 p.m. Monday, September 22, 2008
Ann Byington relies on Spooky, her guide dog, to help her get around town.
But there's one place he can't help her.
"The main issue is the roundabouts are designed for drivers, so they don't have to stop when making a turn or crossing an intersection," Byington said.
Byington tells us her dog is trained to cross a street, but roundabouts don't go in a straight line, so it goes against the dog's training.
"In order for me to stop traffic, I have to basically step out in front of it, which is not where I want to be," Byington said.
Other roundabouts
City spokesperson David Bevens says there are nine roundabouts that he can think of in the city...Three on Wanamaker, one at Sixth, one at 37th and one at 41st. There are two on Urish, one at 29th and now one going in at 21st and Urish. Two are located at SE Rice Road at I-70 and another one is at 45th and Croco. And the last one is at Highway 75 and NW 46th Street.
But not all roundabouts have curb cuts to make it easier to cross. Another problem, Ann says, is that roundabouts have no curb cuts so they can cross to the other side. She says the visually impaired aren't the only ones that have this problem, but people with disabilities and all pedestrians.
So what's the solution to make cars stop?
"We know that there are traffic needs in the city. We are not saying never put in a roundabout, but some sort of signal strategy would be helpful," Byington said.
Byington says some drivers even have trouble driving through roundabouts, but also says it's easier for them.
"The difference is that the cars can see, the drivers can see each other, and know when to stop," Byington said.
She says the visually impaired know it's hard to cross at a roundabouts, and they avoid them when they can, but when they do try to cross it's dangerous.
"Just put your life in your hands and go," Byington said.
Earlier today, while working on this story, one person crossed at that roundabout, and the person had to basically run across the intersection.
We contacted the city and city spokesman Dave Bevens says they take into consideration the blind and visually impaired.
He also said roundabouts aren't pedestrian friendly, but they do help with high volume of traffic and help prevent accidents.
Comments
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Sep. 26, 2008 at 8:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)goldenspring (anonymous)
I live near 28th St. and Kingsrow. Since the roundabout was installed on 29th and Urish it has been extremely difficult to turn left from Kingsrow on to 29th St. or to turn left from 27th St. on to Urish Rd. The traffic signal that used to be there created breaks in traffic so I could turn left. Now it is nearly impossible to do so safely.
There is poor visibility sometimes with the roundabout. Due to the shrubbery growing in the roundabout on 29th & Urish I nearly hit someone on a bicycle one day. He was hugging the inside of the roundabout going very fast. The shrubbery made it impossible to see him. I had to slam on my breaks and barely missed him.
Now they are putting a roundabout on 21st & Urish. I know the 4-way stop wasn't safe but a traffic signal would have been a better choice. There will be a heavy traffic jam on the 29th & Urish roundabout during rush hour when the commuters on 29th & those on Urish meet at the 29th & Urish roundabout. I believe this is an accident waiting to happen. Since it leaves no breaks in traffic it boxes in the residents living in this area. There will be more accidents as the people in this residential area take risks trying to get out on to 29th or Urish. The traffic is so heavy - even during the day - that it is almost impossible right now even to turn right on to 29th St.
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