Less injured, but more accidents at roundabouts

ARCHIVAL PHOTO, QMI AGENCY

Pascal Dugas Drone

Monday, 15 January 2018 11:52

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Monday, 15 January 2018 11:52

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The roundabouts have increased the number of accidents on the roads of Quebec, but they have resulted in a decrease in the number of collisions with injuries.

To arrive at this finding, the engineers engaged by the ministry of Transport compared the number and severity of accidents in 17 places before (2000-2002) and after (2011-2013) the implementation of a roundabout.

Increase of 9 %

Thus, the number of accidents at roundabouts studied has increased by 9 % during this period, while the number of collisions at intersections treaty has rather decreased 9 %, precise technical information sheet.

The picture is however radically different when you look at accidents with injuries. The collisions that have caused injury or death decreased by 63% in the intersections with a roundabout, compared to only 13 % elsewhere.

As the roundabout does not preclude ever vehicle at a right angle, the collisions are less severe and less serious injuries.

To the contrary, “the fact that users may be less familiar with roundabouts,” explains in part why the number of accidents has increased after these developments.

The increase in traffic volumes at these locations may also have played a role.

Gain of $ 225,000, by the crossroads

Even if the roundabouts are more expensive to build and maintain than an intersection of conventional, reduced serious accidents, in fact, be a beneficial option in terms of cost.

Such as a serious accident is more costly for the company that an accident strictly hardware, the experts found that the gain in security is approximately $ 225,000 per year, per intersection.

“It only takes about 12 years for the benefits in security exceed the costs of construction and maintenance. The service life of a roundabout would be of the order of 25 to 30 years, ” summarized the researchers.

These last conclude, moreover, that the roundabout represents a cost-effective solution and sustainable road safety ” when the general conditions for its development are met.