Roundabouts rock — at least when used right

Yuma’s could shine with minor signage update

My family and I recently drove to the Grand Canyon, exploring along the way. And there is definitely one thing Northern Arizona towns do better than Yuma does: roundabouts.

The subject is a controversial one here. Some people love the roundabout in Yuma, others absolutely hate it.

Roundabouts have the potential to be terrific, because, when used properly, they keep traffic flowing, and eliminate the need for stop signs or traffic lights. People have to slow down a little, and one must yield once in a while, but on the whole, traffic moves.

And according to the Washington State Department of Transportation, roundabouts are safer, reducing injury crashes by 75 percent at intersections where stop signs or signals were previously used.

I personally avoid the one by Yuma City Hall as much as possible, because people tend to drive like maniacs in the roundabout. Part of the problem in Yuma is the arrows painted onto the pavement, which many people have called confusing.

But the bigger problem is the signage leading into the roundabout — and here’s where northern Arizona really shines.

When driving up to the roundabout, there is a road sign that shows how a vehicle would use the outer circle, and how a vehicle would use the inner circle — which circle to use depending on which way the driver wants to exit, with a little car and arrows indicating the way. The signage is clear, and it’s easy to understand at a glance.

In Yuma, I often feel like I’m playing Frogger. Do you remember that video game, where the player tries to move the little frog across the busy street? If one moves wrong, one’s little frog becomes roadkill, and the player must try again.

When it comes to roundabouts in Yuma, however, instead of a little frog crossing the road, it’s my car — and if someone hits my car, the day doesn’t reset with a fresh car. I would just be left with a slightly — or seriously — mangled car.

Much of the problem stems from the fact that roundabouts are vexing for people who have never driven in one before.

Yuma’s roundabout by City Hall has signage, but in one case, near the crosswalk, the sign is hidden behind another sign and is hard to see.

The signs that are visible are a little confusing. It wouldn’t take much to clear them up — adding some arrows to the available traffic patterns to indicate potential direction would do the trick. Then take those signs, and make sure they are in the right spot — a good distance for drivers to read and process before hitting the circle, and not blocked by other signs.

Signage isn’t free, I know. But updating Yuma’s signage and making sure it’s in the right spot is a minimal investment that would help keep drivers safe. And to me, that’s worth the money.

DO YOU AGREE WITH THIS OR NOT?