Single lane roundabouts decreased injury crashes by 69 percent in Ohio while multilane roundabouts reduced crashes by 25 percent, according to Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) crash data from 76 intersections that were converted to roundabouts.
“Safety is the driving force behind every decision we make, and the results are clear, roundabouts are very effective at reducing crashes and saving lives,” ODOT Director Pamela Boratyn said. “Our goal is to continue to support our local, county, and state partners by providing funding for roundabouts.”
The state is committing an additional $137 million for 55 traffic safety projects statewide, 25 of which include installing roundabouts.
State officials recently spoke about safety success stories including the intersection of State Route 41 and State Route 235 in Clark County. The intersection had a history of serious crashes. ODOT installed countermeasures like multiple stop signs, rumble strips, and flashing beacons, but those did not reduce crashes. A traffic signal was installed in 2000. Overall crashes decreased, but deadly and serious injury crashes increased.
A roundabout was installed in 2014. There has not been a single fatal crash since, and only one serious injury crash. The crash involved a motorcycle rider impaired by drugs who wasn’t wearing a helmet and had no motorcycle endorsement on his license.