Monday, April 7, 2008

Roundabouts as intersections, who chose this newfangled idea?

Recently, Washtenaw County has decided to put in 'roundabouts' instead of traditional intersections. A new one is going on at Geddes Rd and Superior (more on that later). Just WHO decided roundabouts were where WE as a county were at? Is this being based on studies of how badly midwesterers handle these things? Is it because the enviro-crowd is screeching like barn owls over the oil and gas wasted waiting at stop signs? For one, Johnny is not really plussed by these east coast intersections. So WHOM is the person or persons who decided this is what WE WANTED?

If we get one or two more proposed we're gonna need to change out some county road commission jobs. That's OUR opinion, what's YOURS?

8 comments:

portuguesa nova said...

God, I hate those stupid things. And genuinely would like to know what they're all about--gas savings? Slowing down traffic?

There is this strip mallish shopping center at Brighton and you have to navigate your way through at least 2 of them to get to the stores. I ALWAYS end up getting back on 23 (but not before narrowly avoiding a collision or two) and having to back track 5 miles before getting my big chance at making it right and landing successfully at Ann Taylor Loft.

My husband is Euro, driving through these bad boys do not faze the man in the least, but let me tell you...him being a passenger while I'm trying to Frogger my way around them fazes him so much that I feel tempted to find a good divorce lawyer every time I need a new pair of jeans.

Johnny Action Space Punk said...

THANK YOU. I thought I might have been the only one. I DETEST these things. WE don't want them. We're midwest. The BEST analogy I've ever heard was from a friend of mine who called them "washing machines for cars"

If I see any MORE plans for these it'll be time to take SERIOUS interest in the careers of County Road Commissioners.

Just wait, as soon as the accident rates go up in these ill conceived things they'll STOP keeping record of accidents at roundabouts to "prove" their point they work

Johnny Action Space Punk said...

Also, I'd start writing letters to businesses that border these things to tell the owners no more of my business because I'm not having a driving experience like portuguesa nova shared. I'll shop online thanks.

Anonymous said...

Do you think this is the way people responded to the first traffic signals? Who's idea were these crazy lighted contraptions.

Johnny Action Space Punk said...

Anonymous, maybe people did react like that, but you'd have to sell me on these, AND show me stats that show intersections that have gone from lighted to roundabout have shown a dramatic drop in accidents.

Perhaps some stats exist?

portuguesa nova said...

lol @ the stoplights.

In my opinion, the only good reason for a roundabout is to display a really old statue of a dead king sitting on a horse holding a sword or shield. I'm pretty sure there is no call for that kind of thing around here.

Johnny Action Space Punk said...

Maybe a statue of the motorists who perished in that particular roundabout would work

The Inspector's Minion said...

I've been through that Brighton one a dozen or so times. It's no big deal, once you get used to it.

Actually, I hate the "Michigan Left" more.

I wonder if there's some way to combine the two, for some sort of black-hole of confusion and rage....