Traffic circles cause access problems, say activists
FRESNO, CA, June 16, 2003 -- Roundabouts -- also called traffic circles -- are a popular alternative to typical intersections where streets cross in an "x." Traffic using a roundabout does not stop at a stop sign or stop light; it continues around the circle, veering off onto the next street. Roundabouts, common in Europe, are less common in the U.S. A study by the U.S. Department of Transportation found roundabouts were the scene of significantly fewer accidents in France.