Learning Curve

“If the goal is to have people commute with a smile on their face,

we’ve failed.”

Lorrie Carey, Boscawen Selectwoman 

Photo by J. Harri

In a roundabout way, the state of New Hampshire is trying to make driving safer. It’s replacing intersections with roundabouts in some of its towns because studies show that with roundabouts there are fewer accidents overall (35 percent drop in crashes), fewer severe accidents (76 percent drop in fatal or serious crashes), and calmer drivers. Folks in Boscawen, New Hampshire (population 3,984) would beg to differ. A new roundabout went in their town recently, and it has a nasty reputation for blowing out tires. Truckers say the circle is too tight, which causes them to collide with the granite curbing and tear up tires. At $300 a pop, it's hard to be calm. Other drivers say the roundabouts are just plain “stupid” and confusing. New Hampshire officials say get over it; the roundabout is here to stay. In fact, they’re adding 17 more throughout the state. The slower speed and lower chance for head-on collision make them a no brainer, claim officials. They admit there’s a learning curve to using roundabouts, but once drivers catch on, they’ll come around and learn to love them.

Read the article → A roundly hated roundabout