New Haven's Roundabouts Not So Magic

Robert Farago
by Robert Farago

As part of New Haven's anti-speeding jihad, The Elm City has begun building roundabouts (a.k.a. rotaries). The New Haven register reports the public and The Powers That Be view the results differently. "Lucy Conti, who has called this neighborhood home for 35 years, says the roundabouts are a full-circle waste. She says drivers still fly through the 30 mph zone… But Alderman Ed Madison says the roundabout is working. 'Sixty miles an hour used to be the going rate down there and now it's 30,' said Ed Madison, Alderman.Madison sits on the city's 'traffic calming committee.' His group is responsible for the roundabouts and he says more are coming." Meanwhile and anyway, police radar guns are drawn. And there's no word on the success of the Elm City's "Pace Car" decal program, launched November first. To get a sticker, a driver must pledge to drive within the speed limit and obey all traffic regulations, share the road safely within pedestrians, bicyclists and other drivers, be extra cautious near schools and children and stop for all school buses. Of course, the pols just couldn't help themselves. You also have to promise to "Walk, bike, bus or share a ride when possible to help reduce traffic." Oh, and there's a chain letter bit too. You have to swear you'll "Display my PACE CAR sticker and encourage others to take the pledge." Oy vey.

Robert Farago
Robert Farago

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  • Stephan Wilkinson Stephan Wilkinson on Nov 08, 2007

    Farago, you've lived too long in both Olde and New England. They're a.k.a. traffic circles in the rest of the first world...

  • Yankinwaoz Yankinwaoz on Nov 08, 2007

    Roundabouts are great! They are so efficient and easy to use. We have a couple here in Santa Barbara. The problem is that so many tourist don't know how to use it and freak. I see so many people just pull into it without even slowing down. Most people don't signal out of it. Anyhow... I hope CalTrans and the County have the balls to install more. There are a few more 4 & 5-way stop sign intersections around here that would be perfect for a roundabout. Right now they are just clusterf**ks as people sit at the stop sign and stare at each other wondering who goes first.

  • 50merc 50merc on Nov 08, 2007

    If I had a "pace car" decal on my car, I wouldn't dare park it in an vulnerable place. It might as well say "This car belongs to a jerk who self-righteously drives slower than the speed limit in the passing lane just to slow other people down."

  • Fallout11 Fallout11 on Nov 09, 2007

    Agreed, 50merc. Might as well hang an "I am stoopid!" sign on one's ride.

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