Well, it’s time for our annual roundabout discussion. Without taking the proper time to gauge the local zeitgeist concerning roundabouts (my zeitgeist gauge is busted), I’ll just assume that roundabouts remain largely disliked around these parts. A whole year ago, the L-T devoted a cover story to how many Chippewa Vallians are confused by them. And just yesterday, we heard word from our eastern sister of Oshkosh that a new roundabout has set the stage for 24 car crashes since it opened in late June. I’ll go ahead and abbreviate what you’re thinking: WTF?

The local cops rightly assume that people just need to get used to roundabouts. But that didn’t stop Oshkosh resident Jane Cryan from describing them as “a combination between a three ring circus and the Kentucky derby racetrack.”

I’m still baffled by how angry people get over roundabouts. People hate them. But, to quote Volume One, “Surveys conducted by the Institute for Highway Safety in 2001 and 2002 asked six communities about to install roundabouts how they felt about them. Between 64 and 69 percent were opposed to them. When they caught up with those residents a year after installation, 70 percent liked them. Nevermind that roundabouts take the 32 conflict points of a typical four-way intersection down to eight ...”

In closing, for anyone interested, here is the (apparently) secret formula to navigating a roundabout: If you are in the roundabout, you have the right of way. If you are not in the roundabout, you must yield. Always turn right. Enjoy.