I think I drove around my first roundabout in Massachusetts. It was a handy way to deal with a tricky intersection. The NY Times reports that Bend, Oregon has put in ten in the past two years, with plans for eight more. Their aim is to slow people down. The roundabouts reduce traffic speed, but keep it moving, and should reduce accidents and congestion. Drivers can make their way through stretches of town without hitting any lights. It’s slower for emergency vehicles to navigate too, unfortunately. My only concern with roundabouts is being able to give people good directions. I suppose in a town where people are accustomed to them, it’s not a problem. But it’s not as straightforward as “take a left at the light.”