I write to express my concerns with the roundabouts used locally to direct traffic. Just today, I was involved in a vehicle collision at the one on Kellogg and Cordata, adjacent to Whatcom Community College. I am going to describe what occurred and how it illustrates their fundamental flaw.

I was proceeding south on Cordata in the inner lane. I intended to proceed straight through the roundabout on the inner track. A car heading east on Kellogg entered the roundabout on the outer track a little before I began to leave the inner track and exit the roundabout, which would require passing through the outer track on my way. We came inches to collision. The car behind me wasn't as alert and rear-ended me. The driver at fault sped off.

I think the correct explanation is not poor driving but the following.

The eastbound driver couldn't know how far I would be proceeding along the inner track -- in effect, whether I want to go straight or left. If I had been making a left, our paths wouldn't have crossed. He may have thought I was doing so and entered traffic on this rationale.

This indeterminacy is unacceptable. In traditional intersections, where one intends to go is clear either by lane choice or signals. With roundabouts so much hinges on whether one intends to go straight or left in the inner circle and there is no way to convey one's intentions on the matter.

Dash McIntyre

Bellingham