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La Mesa mayor announces new roundabouts to improve safety and traffic flow
Summary
Mayor Mark Rapistathis said the city will add roundabouts to some intersections in the coming months to reduce crashes, cut idling emissions and improve traffic flow; he outlined safety benefits and gave step-by-step guidance for drivers, pedestrians and cyclists.
Mayor Mark Rapistathis announced that the City of La Mesa will begin installing roundabouts at select intersections in the coming months, saying the traffic design will improve safety, reduce emissions and move traffic more efficiently.
Rapistathis framed safety as the primary reason for the change, noting that ‘‘24 percent of all fatal and serious injury crashes’’ in California occur at intersections and that studies ‘‘may reduce fatal and serious injury crashes by up to 82 percent compared to stop signs and 78 percent compared to traffic signals,’’ according to the mayor. He also said roundabouts have lower maintenance costs and longer service lives than traditional traffic signals.
The mayor provided practical guidance for road users. Drivers should slow on approach, watch for signs and markings, yield to pedestrians and cyclists already in crosswalks, enter only when there is a safe gap, remain in their lane while inside the circle, not stop or pass, and use turn signals when exiting. Rapistathis advised that if a driver misses a turn, they should ‘‘just go around one more time.’’
Pedestrians should use designated crosswalks, which are typically set back about one car length from the circle, and use splitter islands to cross one direction of traffic at a time. Rapistathis told pedestrians to look for eye contact with drivers before stepping out and reminded viewers not to walk onto the central island.
For bicyclists, Rapistathis said there are two options: less-experienced riders can use dedicated bike ramps and sidewalks, while experienced riders may ride with traffic like a motor vehicle and should use hand signals.
Rapistathis closed by saying the city is ‘‘excited to move La Mesa forward with safer, greener, and more efficient streets’’ and that residents should expect installations in the coming months.
The mayor’s announcement described expected safety, traffic and environmental benefits and gave users clear operational guidance; it did not specify which intersections will be converted, the installation schedule, or the budget for the work.
