What is the primary purpose of a roundabout?

The primary purpose of a roundabout is to reduce traffic collisions. Roundabouts are designed to improve safety by allowing vehicles to navigate intersections without the need for stop signs or traffic signals. This design minimizes the potential for high-speed collisions, as vehicles are required to slow down when entering and navigating through the roundabout.

Additionally, by keeping traffic moving efficiently and reducing the points of conflict where vehicles could collide, roundabouts contribute to fewer accident occurrences compared to traditional intersections, where right-angle and head-on collisions are more frequent. The circular design encourages a continuous flow of traffic, which helps maintain lower speeds compared to standard intersections.

While minimizing traffic lights and improving pedestrian crossing might be benefits associated with roundabouts, their primary design focus is on enhancing safety and reducing the likelihood of accidents.