FAYETTE COUNTY, Ohio — Changes are slated to come to Washington Court House in the near future after two serious crashes at the same intersection in three days, including one that killed a Chillicothe man.
The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) said on Wednesday that there are proposed plans to place a “roundabout” at the intersection of route 22 and Jamison Road, which is more commonly known to locals at the main intersection near the YUSA corporation.
On Sunday, a 58-year-old Chillicothe man was killed at the intersection when two vehicles collided, and on Wednesday, the Sheriff of Fayette County said another serious crash happened in the same place, which sent several people to trauma centers.
“Our hearts are with the families impacted by the two crashes,” said Sheriff Vernon P. Stanforth. “The fatal crash on Sunday is tragic and the crash today resulted in multiple serious injuries. Today, three people were transported by helicopter and others were taken by ground ambulance to the local hospital.”
After the two accidents in less than three days, many locals, including the Sheriff, have sought answers and ways to stop the uptick of crashes in the area. ODOT said that after a review of the intersection, plans have been made to place the county’s first roundabout in the intersection.
“Safety is our top priority at ODOT, and we are aware of the crash history at this intersection,” a statement released to the public on Wednesday from the district office of ODOT read. “We recently submitted an application for the funding of a roundabout at this location and expect to hear the determination soon. Once we hear a decision on our funding application, we will work as quickly as we can to get a roundabout installed.”
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Roundabouts are controversial for many rural communities, but traffic studies have shown that they help reduce crashes and improve traffic flow. While popular in other countries, the circular roadways are somewhat a newer concept for Americans, especially those in rural parts of the United States. In recent years, roundabouts have become increasingly popular as an alternative to traditional intersections, and a new study has shown just how effective they can be. Researchers at the University of California, Berkeley analyzed traffic patterns in 24 cities across the United States and found that roundabouts reduce overall traffic delays and accidents. According to the study, roundabouts reduced the number of accidents by 30-50% compared to traditional intersections. Additionally, the study found that roundabouts had the potential to reduce traffic-related fatalities by up to 90%.
Despite the many advantages of roundabouts, some drivers remain hesitant to use them. Some people find them confusing, and others are intimidated by the idea of merging with traffic in a circular pattern. However, experts say that roundabouts are generally easy to navigate once drivers understand the rules, and that their benefits outweigh any initial discomfort. In Ross County, two roundabouts were installed in the last few years along route 159, confusing many locals on how to use them. A video shared by ODOT recently from another state’s department of public safety easily explains how roundabouts work.
–VIDEO ON HOW ROUNDABOUTS WORK. CONTINUE READING AFTER–
The Sheriff said traffic enforcement will be increased in the area while ODOT deterimes what other temporary measures can take place to make it safer.
“In the short term, our safety team is examining this intersection closely to determine other measures that could be taken to reduce crashes. This could include additional signage or potentially re-striping the intersection to streamline traffic and improve safety,” ODOT released in their statement.
The roundabout could be built as early as this summer.