I want to thank the many good citizens of Morton who I have visited with recently regarding their decision to embrace a roundabout at the intersection of U.S. Highway 12 and Second Street.
In the time I have lived in East Lewis County, I know of two fatal accidents that could have been avoided if roundabouts had been used at Highway 12 and Williams and Highway 12 and Second Street.
Roundabouts decrease “high-severity” conflict points. For instance, they almost eliminate the possibility of deadly T-Bone accidents (the most deadly type of crash).
Roundabouts require speed reductions. Lower speeds give drivers much more time to avoid accidents, shorten stopping distances and dramatically reduce the force of impact if a collision occurs.
Roundabouts also offer safer pedestrian crossing. The center island gives pedestrians a safety refuge, if needed.
These safety points are taken from the Federal Highway Administration, Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, and the National Cooperative Highway Research Program.
These entities cite reduction of fatal and serious injury crashes by up to 82%.
Brad Klein
Mossyrock
