Roundabout school clears up confusion

LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - The Indiana Department of Transportation hosted a roundabout school on Saturday to help clear up confusion on how to drive around a roundabout.

"I told my husband they're doing this for me," said roundabout student Mary Jo Mang. "I said, 'I needed schooling,' and he said, 'We have that training going on right now,' so that's why I'm here."

Mang said driving the golf carts around the model roundabout at East Tipp Middle School is helping her realize roundabouts aren't so bad.

"It is kind of overwhelming," said Mang. "But once you get used to it, it's OK. But I said, 'If anybody is going to wreck on one, it would be me.'"

That's the reason the Indiana Department of Transportation Spokesperson Debbie Calder said INDOT is hosting the school: to reduce accidents.

Calder said one of the most important tips for drivers is to slow down. She said people attending the school are getting other important tips too.

"You're going to remember that anyone in the roundabout has the right-of-way," said Calder. "So, we have to yield coming up to the roundabout before entering and know what you want to do. It's clearly marked and don't change lanes once you're in it."

INDOT Traffic Investigations Engineer Nathan Awwad is coaching people through the process of using roundabouts on the golf carts.

He said after a couple of laps on the model roundabout, people seem to feel more relaxed behind the wheel.

"People said, 'Oh this isn't that bad,'" said Awwad. "Once they actually get in the cart, they realize it's pretty simple as long as you just pay attention to the signs and you just slow down."

The roundabout at State Road 25 and the Hoosier Heartland will open at the end of October.