Experts discuss merits of roundabouts at highway safety conference

Industry experts are set to address and discuss a number of topics at Thursday’s Highway Safety and Traffic Blueprint conference in Columbia.

The workshops are aimed at highlighting some of the keys to safe traffic practices. One workshop features a panel that will report on issues and perspectives associated with the designs of more innovative roundabouts, intersections and interchanges.

In Columbia, there are 38 roundabouts. 10 of them are maintained by the Missouri Department of Transportation. 2 are maintained by Boone County Public Works.

David Debates, owner of Tiger Towing, said he thinks that while some of the local roundabouts can be confusing or could be constructed better, they work when used correctly.

“That’s the pattern that I’ve seen,” he said. “I think they’re effective for the people that live here.”

He said people if pay attention to signs, stay patient and drive courteously, the roundabouts make traffic flow smoothly.