Why is it that in Britain we have roundabouts, but in America they don't?

Question

It just came to mind.......

Answer 1

There are a few roundabouts in America.

But the general consensus is that they are more dangerous than intersections with left hand lanes & lights.

It does take a while to get used to using them. My first few times I went round and round.

Answer 2

I live in Bellingham, Washington (the extreme Northwest part of USA, about 25 miles south of the Canadian border on the Pacific Ocean) and just recently several roundabouts have been installed here. There are plans for more.
While I have no problems using the roundabouts, they have been somewhat controversial since some people have been having a difficult time learning to use them such as changing lanes while in the roundabout.
Regarding exiting the freeways here, there's just an exit ramp onto the secondary road.

Answer 3

Roundabouts are a cheapo way of joining two roads they also make for jams which the 'AUTHORITIES' then use as an excuse for increasing taxes to 'reduce usage' of the roads.
In Milton Keynes - the land of the roundabout - they are greatly loved by tyre sellers as the outside edge of tyres wear out rapidly and need replacing!
Having driven on the 'Continent' the UK is definitely the land of the roundabout.
RoyS

Answer 4

Not true, I was in New york once and they have a huge one, I think it was called Columbus Circle.

Americans prefer to have traffic lights, and they can turn right ( our left) against a red light as long as it's clear.

Americans have more space, and the traffic seems less rushed.

PLUS, roundabouts require "thinking" about a "concept", i.e., slowing down or speding up to merge successfully with the traffic already on the roundabout. I've SEEN some of those African American girls, yapping into mobile phones while at the wheel of 'Dodge Rams", etc. Can you imagine??

Answer 5

America changed her highway system a few years back to use sweeps instead of roundabouts. They are used only when space won't permit a sweep. The sweeps are faster and safer than the roundabout.

Answer 6

i've got pushed on 2 of them in Las Vegas, and for all i recognize there ought to be much greater. and there is not something complicated approximately them in case you basically use elementary experience. A motor vehicle interior the circle constantly has the main suitable-of-excess of somebody basically stepping into the circle. And, if there are 2 lanes, and additionally you're basically going 1 / 4 of the circle (ninety°), stay interior the exterior lane; in any different case enter into and go out from the interior lane. And peculiarly, save a watch on the different autos, which may be pushed by making use of people who're chronically at a loss for words approximately each thing concerning making use of.

Answer 7

America likes to be different.. I guess. But there are roundabouts in some neighborhoods I've been through. Downtown Sacramento has some.. they build them in random places, they're just scarce. You may not have any in your area, but they do exist here.

Answer 8

We have "circles" in America and they are common, although beginning to be replaced with traffic lights, at least in New Jersey, where they were first used, and where I grew up. I don't like them, because I don't see the need to go all the way around a circle just to make a left to the next street over.

Answer 9

roundabouts are odd, i have seen them on tv, but never one in real life, if there is one over here in the states then it would be extremely RARE and i dont believe one exists here, unless proven otherwise

over here in america we use traffic signals and on and off-ramps to get on and off the freeways

i dont know whow roundabouts work they look retarded and im glad there arent any here, i have traveled by vehicle to alot of places in this country and never seen one, so i have to say that one existing here is a myth



good luck

Answer 10

we are a small country
when you have gone round roundabouts all day
you have done so much more mileage the country seems bigger
and you have use a large % of your fuel going round and round
talk about a subtle tax