July 1, 2011
Dear DMC
We knew it was only a matter of time before the US cottoned on to the joys of roundabouting.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-13863498
Regards
Steve Reszetniak
London
—-
Wow: a city in the U.S. having a dizzying expansion of roundabouts, Carmel, Indiana. That’s exciting.
The city’s mayor proudly says, “We have more than any other city in the U.S. And aesthetically, we think they are much nicer. If one is looking out their living room window, would you prefer to see a blinking traffic light all night or a beautifully landscaped roundabout with a fountain and flowers?”
Reluctance to roundabouts in the U.S. stems in part from the fact that Americans don’t get into queueing like Brits do. Brits love to join queues. Not Americans. It’s not in their nature to yield. Roundabouts require more subtlety than Americans are used to. Americans, like right angles, clear-cut directions, yes and no answers, freedom and individualism, spontaneous cooperation and regimentation is resisted.
Grover
