Circling Around The Debate On Roundabouts In Sussex County

SUSSEX COUNTY, Del.- They are popping up all over Sussex County.

Not just new developments and businesses, but those new properties are starting to come with roundabouts which DelDOT Community Relations Director C.R. McLeod says makes for safer travel on the roads.

"It improves traffic flow," McLeod said. "Instead of traffic having to stop, if there's no traffic in the circle you can just keep going. And again, if there is a vehicle in it treat it like a stop. Wait until the vehicle passes and you move through it."

According to DelDOT, roundabouts reduce injuries. The agency says when roundabouts are put in, there is a 90 percent reduction in deadly crashes. 75 percent in injury crashes. 30 to 40 percent in pedestrian crashes. And 10 percent in bicycle crashes.

But Chris Pollinger is not buying into the roundabouts, especially the one being built by his Heron Bay community. He says there are more negatives than positives particularly with the volume of cars that come through.

"People coming up Beaver Dam Road, down Beaver Dam Road," Pollinger said. "They turn down Hopkins. People come from Dairy Farm and Fisher Road. Route 9. So there's a lot of traffic right at that intersection and it's just going to back it up."

Pollinger also worries that roundabouts will slow first responders down and their ability to get to hospitals or other places.

Georgetown Police Captain Ralph Holm says roundabouts actually keep traffic moving. But it's important to be extra aware when driving through them.

"Have an idea of where you're going before you get into the traffic circle," Holm said. "Second thing is you want to keep an eye on the traffic in front of you. Because nine times out of ten the collisions are the car running into the vehicle in front."

Projects are soon to be completed but the debate may continue to circle back.