The construction of roundabouts in locations without traffic lights has led to a significant drop in the number of accidents and casualties. (Image: Ministry of Interior and Safety)
SEOUL, Feb. 27 (Korea Bizwire) – The construction of roundabouts in locations without traffic lights has led to a significant drop in the number of accidents and casualties.
The Ministry of the Interior and Safety and the Korea Transport Institute reviewed the before and after data on 88 locations where roundabouts were installed in 2015 and found that total accidents and total casualties declined by 50.5 percent and 56.8 percent, respectively.
Roundabouts were introduced in the U.K. in the early 1970s and spread to the U.S., Australia, Canada and other countries.
At the 88 roundabouts in 2014, there were 139 casualties reported (2 dead, 139 injured), but this figure fell to 60 casualties in 2016 (0 dead, 60 injured). In the same time period, the number of accidents recorded went from 91 to 45.
As a preventative measure against traffic accidents and upgrading road infrastructure, the Ministry of Interior and Safety has ordered the construction of 484 roundabouts since 2010. (Image: Yonhap)
As a preventative measure against traffic accidents and to upgrade road infrastructure, the Ministry of Interior and Safety has ordered the construction of 484 roundabouts since 2010.
This year, 14 more roundabouts are scheduled for construction.
S.B.W. (sbw266@koreabizwire.com)
The striping shown on the roundabout is not proper. It should not be striped with concentric circulating lanes, but with two lanes exiting. Also, the distance between an entrance and an exit should be reduced by providing wider splitter islands. The roundabout as shown will cause collisions at the exit points from vehicles exiting from the inner lane and with vehicles circulating in the outer lane.