Roundabouts, zipper merges and diverging diamonds may look confusing at first, but they all have one goal: keeping traffic moving safely and smoothly. These designs can take some getting used to, but once drivers understand how they work, they can make the road safer for everyone.
Round and Round We Go
Roundabouts may feel intimidating—especially if you’re used to stop signs or traffic lights—but they’re designed to reduce serious crashes by slowing traffic and keeping vehicles moving in one direction. Studies show roundabouts can reduce injury crashes by 72% to 80% and overall crashes by 35% to 47%.
Zip It!
When a lane is closing ahead, the zipper merge encourages drivers to use both lanes until the merge point, then take turns moving into the open lane. It may feel like cutting in line, but when done correctly, it can reduce backups by as much as 40% and help traffic move more steadily.
Diamonds Can Be a Driver’s Best Friend
Diverging diamond interchanges can feel unusual because drivers briefly cross to the opposite side of the road. The design helps reduce the number of places where vehicles have to cross each other’s path, improves traffic flow and lowers the chance of wrong-way ramp entries.
New traffic patterns may seem strange at first, but they’re built with safety and efficiency in mind. A little extra awareness can go a long way toward making every drive smoother—and safer.