Traffic roundabouts in place of traffic lights could be a lifesaver for some California drivers. In North Carolina, roundabouts are replacing stop signs and traffic lights at rural intersections because they are safer. While intersections with traffic lights have fewer accidents, the crashes that do occur are more likely to be deadly or result in severe injuries. Collisions at roundabouts are more likely to result in only minor injuries.
The installation of roundabouts is part of the N.C. Department of Transportation’s Vision Zero program. This program, which originated in the 1990s in Sweden, aims to reduce traffic fatalities to zero.
In an effort to reach that goal, the state built a roundabout at a notorious rural intersection. In 2011, a pickup truck ran a red light at this site and smashed into a vehicle driven by a 24-year-old woman and carrying her 21-year-old pregnant sister. The younger sister died while the older sister remains unable to work and still has issues such as memory problems. After the accident, the county put up signs warning that there was a stop sign ahead. While there were no more fatalities, there were two additional accidents that resulted in serious injuries. The roundabout cost $1.2 million, but it is expected to reduce injuries by 89 percent and save $2.5 million in accident-related costs per year.
Motor vehicle accidents can lead to devastating and permanent physical injuries as was the case with the surviving sister in the accident at the stop signs. Compensation from the driver responsible for the accident can be critical in getting a victim the necessary medical care as well as making up for lost wages and other costs. The injured person might want to file a lawsuit against the driver who caused the accident. There could be an out-of-court settlement, but if the amount offered is too little, the victim may want to proceed to litigation.