BISMARCK, ND ( KXNET ) — The North Dakota Department of Transportation recently completed a traffic study that shows roundabouts across North Dakota are reducing serious injuries and saving lives.

The study reports severe injury and fatal crashes have been reduced by 59 percent and overall crash numbers are down by 33 percent. The study claims roundabouts are responsible for part of the deceases.

“Roundabouts are a proven counter safety measure,” said NDDOT Director Ron Henke. “This data shows roundabouts are preforming well and saving lives in North Dakota.”

The study examined the safety performance of roundabouts by comparing the before-and-after completion crash rates and severity. Data was analyzed from 12 roundabouts on the state transportation system.

North Dakota’s first highway roundabout was built in 2012 on Highway 22 near Killdeer. Today, there are 14 roundabouts on the state transportation system with 13 additional roundabouts planned to be installed in the next few years.

Roundabouts are just one method the NDDOT is deploying to improve safety on the state highway system.

The state’s first “reduced conflict intersections” are being built on U.S. Highway 2 near Williston this year. On these intersections, drivers from the side street only have to be concerned with one direction of traffic on the highway at a time. You don’t need to wait for a gap in both directions to cross a major road.

Traditional four-lane divided highway intersections have an elevated risk of severe right-angle crashes (commonly called “T-bone” crashes), especially for drivers attempting to cross all four lanes of traffic or turn left.

Also, motorists will start to see six-inch pavement markings around the state to improve roadway visibility. These are the lines at the edge of the road to help you see where you’re going. The minimum width of these lines is four inches. Expanding the width to a six-inch maximum makes them easier to see and easier to see the road path.

For more information on roundabouts, visit www.dot.nd.gov/travel-and-safety/highway-safety/roundabouts .

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