If you’re from the New Jersey area, you display the fact that you know how to navigate ‘circles’ down the shore, with pride. The concept of traffic circles, while not totally nonexistent, is somewhat of a rarely implemented one in America. Ironically enough though, while europe undoubtedly perfected the concept, it is one that is very American in its invention.

There is a movement in this country now, according to Detroit News, to re-introduce the concept as Ann-Arbor Michigan has begun to install these traffic contraptions in their less populated residential areas, and with a decent level of efficiency.

Roundabouts installed in those locations where where stop signs or traffic lights previously stood have been shown to reduce all crashes by 39%, and serious ones by 76%, according to a study by the Institute for Highway Safety.

Source: eGMCarTech

Traffic deaths in the United States declined last year, reaching the lowest level in more than a decade, the government reported Thursday. While highway traffic deaths declined last year, motorcycle fatalities increased, the government reported. While highway traffic deaths declined last year, motorcycle fatalities increased, the government reported.

There were 41,059 traffic deaths in 2007, 1,600 fewer than in 2006. The fatality rate of 1.37 deaths for every 100 million miles traveled in 2007 was the lowest on record, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said in its report.

"Thanks to safer vehicles, aggressive law enforcement and our efforts, countless families were spared the devastating news that a loved one was not coming home," Transportation Secretary Mary Peters said.

California had the largest decline, 266 fewer fatalities than the previous year. The largest percentage decreases were in South Dakota and Vermont. North Carolina's death toll increased the most in the nation, up 121 over the previous year. The District of Columbia and Alaska had the highest percentage increases.

Motorcycle deaths increased for the 10th straight year. There were 5,154 motorcycle deaths last year, compared with 4,837 in 2006.

Source: CNN

Researchers at the University of South Florida Public Health have released a study that shows a significant spike in accidents at intersections that use cameras to catch light runners. Why? Drivers are more likely to slam on their brakes when the signal turns yellow, causing tailgaters to ram into them.

The spike is not insignificant. The USF study focused on Florida, and found that traffic fatalities caused by red-light running were not increasing. In fact, they account for less than 4% of the state's yearly traffic deaths. From the study:

"The injury rate from red-light running crashes has dropped by a third in less than a decade, indicating red-light running crashes have been continually declining in Florida without the use of cameras."

Is this study applicable only to Florida--with its high number of elderly drivers? No, similar studies in Virginia, North Carolina and Ontario found similar increases in crashes at intersections where cameras were installed. As for studies that show a decrease in accidents, many were funded by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, a trade group for the insurance industry. Insurers tend to profit from red light cameras, because revenues go up with increased citations and accidents.

Source: Wired