Carmel, IN’s secret to reducing traffic fatalities? Roundabouts

"While localities are slow to introduce roundabouts at their intersections compared to their European counterparts, Brainard said neighboring cities in Indiana have taken his lead and seen similar reductions in traffic fatalities. "The nicest compliment is the cities around us have copied," he said.

Public education was key to getting drivers used to the roundabouts, especially after the first few were installed. Brainard said the city did a lot of outreach through official communications channels, including running informational videos on public access television. "We didn't have a lot of money in those days, so we did it anywhere we could," he said.

Initially, the transition was tough. The city saw a small spike in fender benders when roundabouts were first built as people weren’t as familiar with how to use them. It was crucial to keep up that "constant and repetitive public explanation about why it's important for safety," and in time they made a difference, he said. The Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) also added a page explaining their use in a driver safety handbook, which contributed to the growing public education."