Traffic Circle a Win-Win

July 2, 2003

Dear Editor,

I must disagree with a recent letter to you concerning the traffic circle at 26th and Washington. (“Throwing Money at Non Problems,” July 1, 2003)

The intersection is not only a major crossing point for families on their way to Douglas Park, Franklin Elementary or Lincoln Middle, but also services the only pedestrian-friendly and bicycle-friendly street that can be used for getting there (or to the ocean for that matter) from the "college street" section of the City.

The intersection posed a serious safety issue as cars sped up and down 26th Street between Wilshire and Montana. There were numerous accidents, resulting on more than one occasion in injuries to my neighbors and cars ending up on people's front lawns. Pedestrians were being brushed by drivers too frantic or pre-occupied with a cell phone call to yield the right of way. Our neighborhood has been clamoring for a solution for years without success.

I have used the traffic circle as a motorist and as a pedestrian numerous times in the past few weeks. I also stand near it from time to time to watch the resulting traffic pattern. There is no doubt in my mind that it is a success.

Cars seem to be blending smoothly as each entering driver yields to a car that is already entering the circle. Traffic slows as it enters the circle so that drivers are more able and more willing to stop or slow for pedestrians. Traffic does not appear to be backed up because of the circle. And more importantly, in my opinion, the traffic circle lacks the entrapment of those four-way stops that the police love to use for revenue generation when cars "blow" through the stop signs at 2 to 3 mph. Everything keeps moving!!

The traffic circle's landscaping adds to the neighborhood ambience, while reducing driver boredom and inattention as the circle is encountered and circumscribed. For once, the City's traffic planners and the City Council appear to have succeeded without invoking punitive measures like speed bumps or adding more unnecessary stop signs. Motorists and pedestrians alike should be pleased with the result. Those that I have spoken with certainly are.

This idea was Win-Win; a rarity. I hope that the City gradually replaces all four-way stop signs with traffic circles. We'll all benefit.