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According to Hwy. 179 Improvement Project Public Outreach Manager Kristin Darr-Bornstein, the Arizona Department of Transportation conducted extensive community outreach in the years leading up to the project and roundabouts were the community choice by far.
The Village of Oak Creek and Sedona residents expressed a 2-to-1 preference for roundabouts over traffic lights. Darr-Bornstein said she’s unaware of any accidents in the Village of Oak Creek’s roundabouts thus far, but many people report close calls.
“I had a close call just yesterday,” Village resident Matt Burke said. “I was almost rear-ended.”
The roundabouts are dangerous, Burke said, because many tourists don’t know how to drive in them.
“People need to realize that it’s a yield sign, not a stop sign,” Burke said.
There is a learning curve with roundabouts, Darr-Bornstein said, but that’s why she’s worked to provide regular updates, printed materials and information on the radio.
The most important thing to remember is that traffic within the circle always has the right-a-way. People need to remember what it means to yield, Darr-Bornstein said.
They’re safe “as long as everyone pays attention,” said Mike McGinnis, a tourist vacationing in Sedona with his wife, Jenny McGinnis.
The McGinnises first experienced roundabouts while traveling in England. They’re familiar with them, they said, and they believe they’re a good alternative to traffic lights.
As for informing tourists who may not be in the know, Darr-Bornstein said she’s working closely with the Sedona Chamber of Commerce, the Arizona Department of Tourism and AAA to get the word out.
Tyler Midkiff
Larson Newspapers
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