Wellington County’s decision to install a roundabout at the intersection of Wellington Roads 8 and 12 appears to be a solid one. We hope a new configuration will reduce risks at a corner that has been the site of 20 accidents, involving 19 injuries and two deaths over the past 10 years. The intersection in question, while providing clear sight lines, seems to be one that motorists often approach at too great a speed, resulting in collisions.
“A roundabout will prevent the high-speed collisions that have been occurring in the past,” stated Wellington County roads division construction manager Mark Eby.
Roundabouts are still relatively new and sometimes controversial in this area, but all reports indicate they do accomplish their goal of slowing down traffic wherever they are installed. As such, a roundabout in this location appears an obvious solution.
Located as it is in a rural area, is unlikely to cause the concern for pedestrian safety that has been generated among Wellington North residents over a roundabout plan for a county road in Arthur. Even in that instance, concerns may yet prove misplaced.
Between 2006 and 2010, the Region of Waterloo recorded two pedestrian collisions at roundabouts. That means on average there is one pedestrian collision every 25 years per roundabout.
The Region recorded 86 pedestrian collisions at 200 traffic signals that had similar traffic and pedestrian volumes. That means, on average, there is one pedestrian collision every 11 years per traffic signal.
Those figures may be apples and oranges to a certain extent, but they still lend credence to the idea roundabouts are, at worst, no less safe for pedestrians than traditional traffic controls.
