ODOT: Roundabouts reducing crashes, saving lives across Ohio

National Roundabouts Week was a time when transportation officials across the country shared the safety improvement that follows where they're implemented.

Roundabouts are a proven safety tool for decreasing crashes and virtually eliminating crashes that result in serious injuries or deaths.

The Ohio Department of Transportation analyzed crash data from 76 intersections that had been converted to roundabouts. The data showed single-lane roundabouts decreased injury crashes by 69% while multi-lane roundabouts resulted in a 25% decline.

“Safety is the driving force behind every decision we make, and the results are clear: Roundabouts are very effective at reducing crashes and saving lives,” ODOT Director Pamela Boratyn said. “Our goal is to continue to support our local, county and state partners by providing funding for roundabouts.”

In July Gov. Mike DeWine announced an additional $137 million for 55 traffic safety projects across the state. Of those projects, 25 include installing roundabouts.

One of the best safety success stories attributed to roundabouts can be found in Clark County. The intersection of state Route 41 and state Route 235 had a long history of serious crashes. Over the past several decades, ODOT installed several countermeasures like rumble strips, multiple stop signs and flashing beacons.

In 2000 a traffic signal was installed. While the signal reduced overall crashes, deadly and serious injury crashes went up. In 2014 a roundabout was installed. In the 11 years since, there has not been a single fatal crash. The lone serious injury crash occurred in 2023 and involved a motorcycle with the rider impaired by drugs and without a helmet or motorcycle endorsement on their license.

Other examples around Ohio

 —Marion County, state Route 98 and state Route 529: In the four years prior to the roundabout’s construction, there were 37 total crashes at the intersection with nearly 60% resulting in injury. Since the roundabout opened in 2022, there have been 16 crashes with none resulting in injuries.

—Richland County, East Cook Road/Illinois Avenue and Mansfield-Lucas Road: From 2015-18, the two-way stop-controlled intersection saw 21 total crashes (an average of five per year), and 15 of those resulted in injury. The roundabout was opened in August 2022, and in the two years since its opening, crashes have decreased by 40% with an average of three per year, and there have been zero injury crashes.

—Medina County, state Route 94 and Granger Road (Granger Township): Since completion in 2018, there have been a total of 18 crashes, averaging just over two crashes per year, and zero fatal or serious injury crashes have occurred. This is a 57% reduction in average yearly crashes.

—Seneca County, U.S. 224 and state Route 587: Low-cost enhancements did not improve the crash rate at the intersection, which averaged nearly four crashes a year. Then in 2022, a roundabout was constructed. No crashes have occurred since the roundabout has been in operation.

—Gallia County, state Route 160/554: Before the roundabout was built, the intersection averaged four crashes a year, 67% of which resulted in injuries. Since the roundabout was opened in 2021, the intersection has averaged two crashes per year, none of which have resulted in injuries.

Learn more about the safety benefits of roundabouts and how to navigate them through ODOT’s website at www.transportation.ohio.gov/roundabouts.