Times Observer photo by Josh Cotton Motorists make their way through the roundabout at Market St. and Pennsylvania Ave. in downtown Warren on Thursday morning. PennDOT has announced data that shows a decrease in crashes and injuries at intersections where roundabouts have been built

PennDOT data released this week shows decreases in crashes, injuries and fatalities at roundabouts across the state.

“PennDOT is continuing its work to identify and implement innovations and best practices across Pennsylvania,” PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll said.

“I’m proud to see that the data on roundabouts remains consistent on saving lives and reducing crash severity.”

A total of 39 signal or stop sign-controlled intersections that were replaced with 42 roundabouts were included in the analysis. 36 of the roundabouts were single lane while six were multi-lane and all are at least three years old to ensure sufficient crash data was available before and after the roundabout was installed.

The results?

Crashes involving serious injuries were reduced by 24 percent while crashes involving non-serious injuries were reduced by 51 percent. The total number of crashes fell three percent.

“Although roundabouts are frequently installed to address intersections with safety issues, they are also commonly installed to improve traffic flow or for other reasons such as traffic calming,” PennDOT said in a statement.

In addition to the 42 roundabouts included in the analysis, 36 more have been built on state routes. That would include the roundabout in downtown Warren that is nearing completion.

“Roundabouts are recognized by the Pennsylvania State Transportation Innovation Council (STIC) as an innovation that has become standard practice within the transportation community,” PennDOT said.

“The Pennsylvania STIC facilitates the rapid implementation of proven, well-researched and documented state, regional, national and international technologies, tactics, techniques and other innovations that are new to Pennsylvania.”

PennDOT says that a video was created to help Pennsylvanians learn how to navigate a roundabout whether as a motorist, cyclist or pedestrian. That video that can be found at penndot.gov or the department’s YouTube channel.