Overview
What is a roundabout? How does a roundabout differ from a traffic light? Is one better than the other? This segment looks at the efficiency and effectiveness of roundabouts.

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Grade level and subjects
• Recommended for grades 6-12
• Subjects: Science / Technology and Other
• Works in Classroom, Hybrid, and Homeschool settings

What students will learn
By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:
• list reasons some people say roundabouts are better than traffic lights;
• explain the differences between roundabouts and traffic lights;
• assess the impact roundabouts have on public safety; and
• hypothesize about how intersections with traffic light can be converted to roundabouts.

Key concepts and terms covered
Roundabout, Unilaterally, and T-Bone.

Sample discussion questions
• Why might Homer Simpson get confused by a roundabout in Europe? Why might Americans be wary of roundabouts?
• When referring to an accident, what’s a T-bone?
• John Stossel said that one study showed switching from traffic lights to roundabouts leads to a decrease in deaths and injuries but a small increase in collisions. Is the benefit worth the cost?
• Some communities have installed red light cameras. Cars going through red lights are automatically ticketed. Should the revenue from tickets be considered when a community is thinking about changing from traffic lights to roundabouts? Why/Why not?
• What about pedestrians: which do you think is safer for pedestrians: intersections with traffic lights or roundabouts? Why?

What’s in the free teacher’s guide
This printable 10-page Teacher's Guide includes a lesson description, learning objectives, key vocabulary, a fill-in viewing guide with answer key, discussion and analysis questions, and classroom activities.

Standards alignment
Aligned to state standards — use the SITC Standards Tool to match this video to the standards in your state.