New data shows roundabouts were among the top sites for crashes around Southeast Michigan in 2022.
A report released by the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments (SEMCOG) showed a 3% increase in overall vehicles crashes from 2021 to 2022, with nearly 129,000 crashes recorded on the roads of Metro Detroit in 2022.
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A total of 450 people died in those crashes, which is a 5% increase from 2021 -- that’s also higher than pre-pandemic figures. Crash stats include serious and non-serious crashes, like sideswipes, single-vehicle crashes, fender benders, rear-endings, deer crashes, bike and motorcycle incidents and pedestrian crashes.
Among the sites with the most crashes in 2022, four of them were roundabout locations in Southeast Michigan.
- Farmington Hills: 14 Mile Road West at Orchard Lake Road. Average number of yearly crashes 2018-2022: 114. Number of crashes in 2022: 65.
- Sterling Heights: 18 1/2 Mile Road at South M-53/Van Dyke ramp. Average number of yearly crashes 2018-2022: 112.8. Number of crashes in 2022: 79.
- Ann Arbor: State Street South at Ellsworth Road West. Average number of yearly crashes 2018-2022: 99.6. Number of crashes in 2022: 96.
- Commerce Township: North M-5 (Pontiac Trail N) at Martin Parkway. Average number of yearly crashes 2018-2022: 97.8. Number of crashes in 2022: 84.
Roundabouts are generally believed (and backed by many studies) to be safer than traditional intersections. So why are roundabouts hot spots for crashes in Metro Detroit?
What are roundabouts?
A roundabout is a circular intersection design where drivers must yield to vehicles already in the circle before entering. Michigan has about 180 roundabouts in the state, and it continues to grow.
Why are roundabouts safer?
The biggest reason why roundabouts are safer than traffic lights or stop signs is the design, which forces drivers to slow down, making the most serious collisions, like a left-turn or head-on crash, less likely to happen.
Most crashes in roundabouts are minor, because drivers are moving at much slower speeds in the roundabout circle than they would be driving through a green light.
Roundabouts are also safer for pedestrians, because they walk around the perimeter and cross only one direction of traffic at one time, at shorter distances.
Many roundabouts also have trees or brush in the center, which is intentional. They block the glare of oncoming headlights across the roundabout, and helps give motorists the visual cue to reduce their speed when approaching the roundabout and clearly indicates to drivers they cannot pass straight through the intersection.
What types of crashes happen at roundabouts?
A 2009 study from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) found the top crashes at roundabouts to be in four categories -- run-off-road, rear-end, sideswipe, and entering-circulating. Another common crash type involved a vehicle colliding with the central island. These crashes, which often involved unsafe speeds, accounted for almost half of all single-vehicle run-off-road crashes. Some drivers may not have seen the roundabout in time to slow down sufficiently.
A 2007 study that looked at 39 roundabouts in the U.S. found that entering-circulating, exiting-circulating and rear-end collisions were the most common crash types. A large majority of crashes at the single-lane roundabouts were entering-circulating crashes. At multi-lane roundabouts, the majority of crashes were exiting-circulating.
IIHS found clearer signage -- including speed limits posted well in advance of roundabouts and larger “roundabout ahead” and yield signs -- and more pavement markings leading up to and at the roundabout helped to let drivers know to slow down. The center island also plays a part there, blocking the vision of the driver to let them know something is coming up.
Why are we seeing the most crashes at roundabouts?
While Local 4′s Jaqueline Francis was reporting from a roundabout last week, she witnessed a crash herself. The driver told her he felt there wasn’t enough signage in the area, but typically has no issue using roundabouts.
It really just comes down to drivers being more cautious and following signs and road markings ahead of roundabouts, Michigan State Police Lt. Mike Shaw said.
How to properly drive a roundabout
Remember, traffic in the roundabout always moves counterclockwise.
- Choose your lane before entering.
- Yield to traffic already in the roundabout.
- Yield to pedestrians in crosswalks.
- Indicate your exit by using your turn signal.
- Use signs and pavement markings to help guide you.