Roundabouts

Whether you call them roundabouts or rotaries (it's a geographical thing, really), let's not bury the headline -- they're dumb. They're the dumbest roads ever created, they should've never been created, and for as "easier" as they're supposed to make intersections, they're generally infuriating and dangerous.

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration,

Roundabouts are a 'proven safety countermeasure' because they can substantially reduce crashes that result in serious injury or death.

And quite honestly, whatever the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration is medicating with, they should spread the wealth because clearly that's top tier stuff. Either that or they've never actually driven through a roundabout, because they're the dumbest roads ever created.

According to the video above provided by the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration (and honestly if you skip the video I don't blame you because why watch a video about a stupid road that shouldn't even be used), what they think happens is cars approach the roundabout, take turns, signal when they're getting off, and everything is all gumdrops and rainbows and unicorns.

What actually happens is people either approach the roundabout, don't slow down and just hit the gas all the way through (and usually honk at someone along the way even though they're at fault for driving like a dink), or a line of cars coming from the same section of the roundabout will constantly keep going, causing someone to make a stupid move to try and weave in and go and cause an accident.

Hell, there's an entire YouTube video dedicated to roundabout fails in New Hampshire alone.

Not to mention this video of an investigative report proving that roundabouts actually increase the chance of and act of crashes, therefore being classified as the dumbest road ever.

Yet, for whatever reason, they keep popping up in Maine (even in New Hampshire, with Tuscan Village in Salem creating a ridiculous amount of roundabouts to navigate through to get from section to section, which is confusing enough without trying to navigate a roundabout too.) According to a 2013 article in Portland Press Herald, there were 22 roundabouts throughout Vacationland.

However, an update provided on CentralMaine.com lists a total of 25 roundabouts in the state. Yet MaineDOT just a few days ago posted that there are currently 30 in the state, and the first one in Maine hit Gorham in 1997.

Condolences to our friends in Gorham, who have had to spend the last 25 years dealing with absolute stupidity on the road.

30 Most Dangerous Sections of Road in Maine

There are plenty of sections of road that you have come across here in the State of Maine that have you gripping the steering wheel a little more than other sections. Here is the list of the Most Dangerous Roads of Maine from the past three years of crashes, injuries, and fatalities from the Maine Department of Transportation. Do you live on one of these roads?

The 10 Most Dangerous Places To Live in Maine Right Now

Based on crime statistics and patters, here are the most dangerous cities in Maine for 2022

More From 94.3 WCYY