In Australia, 50 km/h roads leading to roundabouts used to have just one simple curve. These are gradually being replaced with roads that have an “S” shape just before the roundabout. The reasons given for this new layout by the authorities are that this “S” shape layout helps to slow down traffic and prevent accidents. My reasons for objecting this “S” shape layout is as follows –

1) When going through the straight road and suddenly coming to an “S” shape, there is potential for the vehicle to crash onto the protruding corner of the “S” shape kerb on the road.

2) Going through an “S” shape layout at the roundabout creates unnecessary stress on the driver and vehicle as opposed to a simple one curved road at the roundabout.

3) As the driver’s eyes are fixated on making it through the “S” shape, it causes distraction and makes the driver less alert to incoming traffic from other sides of the roundabout. So the “S” shape increases the risk of accidents.

4) On a 50kmh road with just one curved road layout at the roundabout, drivers already need to slow down to around 30 km/h to either turn or go straight around the roundabout. It is very rarely that a driver will attempt to go at 50kmh at the one curve roundabout as they will crash on to the circular structure of the roundabout if trying to go at the same speed. Even if there is an accident, the impact will be minimal and non-life threatening as vehicles will be driving at around 30 km/h at the roundabout. There is no logical reason to justify inserting an “S” shape layout to slow down traffic further on a 50 km/h road leading to a roundabout.

5) Thousands of residents are driving through these roundabouts per day. It is not fair to cause inconvenience to thousands of residents who have been using these roads due to a few minor accidents that have happened.

Roads should be simple and uncomplicated to drive on. This “S” shape layout should be halted on future upgrades and the existing ones removed from all 50 km/h Australian roads. I would like to see a simple one curved road layout at all roundabouts.