Roundabouts are good choice

After reading the letter from the writer who condemned the Costco North roundabout, I felt a need to write in favor of them.

Yes, I am an ardent Costco shopper and live very close (six minutes and three traffic lights). Roundabouts have been studied and it’s been found that they do move traffic at a faster, smoother rate than a stoplight or four-way stops.

I think that people who are naysayers do not know how to use them and are afraid of them. Here are three simple rules. 1. If a car is in the roundabout, they have the right of way. 2. If you are on the highway going either direction, and there isn’t a car in the circle, you do not have to completely stop – continue on your way. 3. If you are a car in the circle, when you exit, please stay in the left lane and don’t weave into the outside lane. It is very dangerous and annoying to have drivers not know what lane you stay in when making a turn (the closest lane in the direction you are going. This is a Washington state law.

Roundabouts are here to stay and drivers can do one of two things: Embrace them, learn how to use and drive in them, or find an alternate route to Costco. I also like the straight-in parking rather than the angle parking of the old store. I also find it odd that the writer’s wife got trapped in the lot. I always park in the same general area and have never had a problem getting in or out.

Barb Beck

Colbert