LUCAS COUNTY, Ohio —
More roundabouts are coming to northwest Ohio. The state Department of Transportation has released information showing roundabouts have reduced the number of crashes at certain intersections throughout the region.
"They're very efficient," said Christopher Waterfield, ODOT District 2 Traffic Engineer. "They're also really good for the environment. There's less emissions wasted with you sitting and waiting for a red light to change colors."
Roundabouts also save money in comparison to traffic lights, according to Lucas County Engineer Mike Pniewski.
"You have to redo all the signals and put in new signals and all that type of thing," Pniewski said. "Those types of costs have to be accounted for, plus the fact we're not paying for electricity and power."
The main reason the roundabouts are being put in is for safety, though.
"We've mitigated 80-100% of fatal and serious injury crashes at these locations," Waterfield said. "In Lucas County, we can't ask for better results."
ODOT reported that at U.S. 20A and Weckerly in Monclova, there was a 100% reduction in crashes.
Crashes can still happen at roundabouts, though, Waterfield said, but they are normally not serious or fatal.
"It's not a mistake that is going to have a negative effect on your quality of life forever," Waterfield said.
Pniewski said intersections are chosen for roundabouts based on the amount of fatal and serious crashes that have already happened there.
Although people complain, unless there's a better alternative, roundabouts are here to stay, he added.
"We will never stop installing these, because they save lives," Pniewski said. "They keep our citizens safe, and that's what's important."