WaukeshaNOW.com
search all things local
     
Blog Home |  Email Author  |        Welcome to MyCommunityNOW - Blogs Sign in | Join

Common Ground

A homeowner in Waukesha for 20 years, Steve is president of the Waukesha Dog Parks Organization and enjoys motorcycling, fishing and staying on top of politics.

The DOT Gets F In Education

By Steve Bukosky
Sunday, Sep 21 2008, 11:58 AM

PSA stands for Public Service Announcement. All levels of government could do a whole lot better in continuing education for the masses. Case in point are the roundabouts that are being mandated by the DOT and meeting heavy resistance from many of the people. I'm finding more of them in the Chicago suburban area and theirs differ from most in that they have a stop sign at the entrance to give people a moment to observe traffic and plan their route. While one of the reasons for a roundabout is to eliminate stop signs, it is a worthwhile consideration and the stop sign can be removed and replaced with a Yield sign in due time.

Colorado has heavy use of them especially along Interstate 70 through the mountains and into ski resorts. Once I encountered three roundabouts connecting each other  while exiting the interstate and looking to take a break. See them here. They do work. However, they are not intuitive and there is a learning curve. Stop signs at the entrance is part of that but a public education program is needed across the state to teach people both the history of roundabouts, why they are being incorporated within the state and how to maneuver through them. I got my first encounter with them in Colorado. It was a bit unnerving but I quickly got the idea.

The DOT needs to get the message out about how to handle yourself in a roundabout. Newspapers, radio and especially television must cooperate with the DOT for the benefit of everyone.

Comments

No Comments

Leave a Comment

Please Sign In to post comment.

About Steve Bukosky

Began working in Waukesha County in 1966 and navigated the streets of Waukesha the next year when working for the Capital Drive Airport. I have owned a house in Waukesha since 1986 and my sons went through the city's school system. I am presently a heating and air conditioning technical representative for a company in Pewaukee.