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Police Look to Educate Drivers on 'Roundabouts'

By: Tyler Thomason

Updated: December 7, 2012

"Statistically, roundabouts are safer than a regular traffic intersection," says Keith Foster of the Rogers Police Department.

"I think the key to that is certainly understanding how they work."

It's a growing traffic trend.

Turning tires all across Northwest Arkansas.

"I've sat out here for a while and watched traffic and it flows really well," Foster says while patroling near a roundabout in Rogers.

The double-lane roundabout in Rogers is expected to see more folks, following the opening of a new road connecting it to Pinnacle Hills.

And construction is nearly complete for this new roundabout in front of Washington Regional in Fayetteville.

"It seems like roundabouts are kind of new here in Arkansas, at least in Northwest Arkansas," Foster says.

But are drivers prepared to cruise these car-filled carousels?

"I don't like them," says Gary Johnson, who travels through a roundabout every day to work.

"There's a sign back over there, above that speed limit sign, that's the key to all the roundabouts, and it tells you what each lane can do," Foster says, pointing to an illustrative sign near the roundabout in Rogers.

Despite these helpful signs, some drivers say, it still causes confusion and would much rather see a traditional traffic light than this circle-shaped intersection

"One is coming this way, and if one is coming this way, and if one's coming straight for you," Johnson says about the cars he sees traveling them every day.

Others understand the purpose, but want a little more guidance.

"I do think they're good,Ii wish they would explain how you should do it because a lot of us haven't been using them," says Tina Dougherty, who drives through them as well. "It only takes one person to not know how it works, and you've got a problem."

Local law enforcement says roundabouts are not only safer than a traffic light but cheaper, too.

And police are already thinking of ways to make sure the public knows how to correctly navigate any new roundabout routes.

"Once they're more familiar with the roundabouts, people are going to drive through it, no problem, and it's going to be a very positive thing for us," Foster says.