Roundabouts or traffic circles are generally not popular with the public when proposed for local roads.
But the roundabout planned for the intersection of Highways MB and C has one definite fan — the Bristol Fire Department and Chief Peter Parker.
Roundabouts, says Wikipedia, are “a type of circular junction in which road traffic must travel in one direction around a central island. Signs usually direct traffic entering the circle to slow down and give the right of way to drivers already in the circle.â€
Road engineers say roundabouts reduce serious accidents because traffic must slow to enter them and cars do not travel at right angles to each other. But there proposed placement locally has been controversial.
Parker, speaking at the Bristol Village Board meeting Monday, said the department is anxious for the better safety offered by the roundabout. The department responded to a serious crash there as recently as last month.
“We go there too much. We’re very glad to see that there,” Parker said of the roundabout.
