The Free Press, Mankato, MN

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March 17, 2010

Your View: Model roundabouts after Europe's

Bob Peace, Vernon Center

Being a commercial driver and someone who has driven on both sides of the Atlantic, I feel I must add my displeasure at the size of the roundabouts in Minnesota.

Roundabouts have long been a part of driving in Europe. They are built to accommodate the largest of vehicles and to keep the traffic moving.

The ones I have encountered here in Minnesota — and elsewhere — are way too small for today’s large vehicles. No commercial driver likes to run his wheels over the curb — if you run your wheels over a curb while on a driver’s test you have failed your test.

The designers need to take a trip to Europe and take a good hard look at roundabouts there before they build any more. When used correctly roundabouts can keep the traffic flowing and not slow it down, is what I heard one designer say.



 

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