What does the circular shape of a roundabout help to reduce?

The circular shape of a roundabout plays a crucial role in reducing head-on collisions. This design directs the flow of traffic in one direction around a central island, which minimizes the likelihood of vehicles traveling towards each other at high speeds. In contrast to traditional intersections where vehicles may be coming from various angles, the roundabout's configuration compels vehicles to slow down and navigate in a way that reduces the chances of direct frontal impacts.

In a roundabout, vehicles must yield to traffic already in the circle, which generally leads to lower speeds and enhances driver awareness. By keeping vehicles moving in the same direction, the risk of head-on collisions is significantly diminished compared to conventional intersections where drivers may misjudge gaps and speeds when turning across oncoming traffic.