North Dakota completes traffic study on roundabouts

Roundabouts reduce severe injury and fatal crashes by 59 percent in North Dakota, according to a recent North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT) traffic study.

The study examined the safety performance of 12 roundabouts on the state transportation system and compared the before-and-after completion crash rates and severity.

The study also found that overall crash numbers decreased 33 percent.

“Safety is the number one priority and consideration in all of our highway projects,” NDDOT Director Ron Henke said. “While we are pleased with the results of this study, we continue to explore new ways to reduce serious injuries and fatalities to zero. But we can’t do it alone. We need every driver, passenger, bicyclist, and pedestrian to take responsibility for their safety by staying alert and following the rules of the road.”

The first highway roundabout in the state was built on Highway 22 near Killdeer in 2012. There currently are 14 roundabouts on the state transportation system. Over the next few years, 13 more roundabouts will be installed.

NDDOT also is implementing other methods to improve safety on the state highway system. Earlier this year, it began construction on the state’s first reduced conflict intersections on U.S. Highway 2 near Williston.

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