Following two fatal vehicle collisions on rural roads outside London, Ontario, within two weeks, a discussion has emerged about whether roundabouts can improve safety at rural intersections. Oxford County's senior manager of transportation, Frank Gross, noted that a roundabout installed in 2011 at a previously crash-prone intersection (Oxford roads 2 and 6) reduced the severity of crashes, though not the number of incidents. University of Waterloo professor Jeff Casello explains that roundabouts provide a visual cue to slow down and work best at moderate speeds and traffic volumes, acting as speed suppressors.
Can roundabouts help reduce crashes at rural intersections?
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Following two fatal vehicle collisions on rural roads outside London, Ontario, within two weeks, a discussion has emerged about whether roundabouts can improve safety at rural intersections. Oxford County's senior manager of transportation, Frank Gross, noted that a roundabout installed in 2011 at a previously crash-prone intersection (Oxford roads 2 and 6) reduced the severity of crashes, though not the number of incidents. University of Waterloo professor Jeff Casello explains that roundabouts provide a visual cue to slow down and work best at moderate speeds and traffic volumes, acting as speed suppressors.
- 1 May 23: Four high-school students and their teacher killed at Thorndale and Cobble Hills roads intersection.
- 2 Tuesday (before 2025-06-05): A person died at Road 84 and 31st Line intersection in Zorra Township.
- 3 2011: Oxford County installed a roundabout at Oxford roads 2 and 6.
- 4 2018-2022: 25 collisions at the Oxford County roundabout, 5 injuries, 0 deaths.
- 5 2025-06-05: Article published.
- Potential for increased implementation of roundabouts in rural areas
- Reduced severity of crashes
- Ongoing debate about driver behavior vs. infrastructure
What: Discussion and analysis of whether roundabouts can reduce crashes and their severity at rural intersections, prompted by recent fatal collisions.
When: Recent two weeks (May 23, Tuesday before article publication); 2011 (Oxford County roundabout installation); 2018-2022 (Oxford County collision data); 2024 (Oxford County transportation plan).
Where: Rural roads outside London, Ontario; intersection of Thorndale and Cobble Hills roads; intersection of Road 84 and 31st Line in Zorra Township; Oxford County; intersection of Oxford roads 2 and 6 (Dundas Street and 31st Line); Embro, Zorra Township.
Why: To address the high number and severity of crashes at rural intersections, particularly after recent fatal incidents.
How: Traffic engineers and professors are discussing the effectiveness of roundabouts; Oxford County has implemented and studied a roundabout; CBC News spoke to local drivers.