This Indiana Town is the Roundabout Capital of America

I have no problem driving down four lanes of traffic in a busy city. But throw a roundabout at me, and I'm bound to get lost.

What is a Roundabout?

If you’ve never driven through one, a roundabout is kind of like a circle in the road that helps traffic keep moving. Instead of stopping at a traditional four-way stop or traffic light, you just slow down, look to the left, and hop in the circle when it’s clear. Then you can drive around until you reach the exit. It’s designed to keep cars flowing smoothly and safely with no red lights, no long waits.

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I’ll be honest, every time I see a roundabout, I get a bit anxious. The first time that I came up to the circle, there were a bunch of signs pointing in different directions, and I totally panicked. I wasn’t sure which exit to take, and I ended up going around the circle more than once just trying to figure it out. I was so focused on not hitting anyone that I missed my turn twice! It can definitely be a little confusing at first, especially if you're not used to them or if there are multiple lanes inside the roundabout. I'm also not the best driver, so I'm sure the experts are right when they say that it's a good thing for traffic.

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Carmel is the Roundabout Capital: Safety, Savings & Sustainability

Roundabouts aren’t just a quirky feature of Carmel’s roads; they’re a smart solution that’s paying off in a big way. According to Startup Selfie, intersections with roundabouts in Carmel have seen a 40% drop in overall crashes and up to a 90% reduction in fatal accidents.

And here’s a bonus for the city: they’re cost-effective. By skipping the need for traffic signals and the maintenance that comes with them, Carmel, Indiana, saves roughly $180,000 per intersection over time. With more than 150 roundabouts already built and several more planned for 2025, Carmel’s roundabout revolution (Get it) is far from over.