What is the purpose of a roundabout?

The purpose of a roundabout is primarily to improve traffic flow and safety by reducing the speed of vehicles. Roundabouts are designed to encourage continuous movement, allowing vehicles to yield rather than stop at intersections. This design minimizes the chances of high-speed collisions by requiring drivers to slow down upon entering the roundabout.

By reducing vehicle speed, roundabouts help to lower the severity of accidents and effectively manage traffic by keeping vehicles moving in a circular flow, which decreases congestion compared to traditional intersections with stop signs or traffic signals. This safety feature is crucial, as the reduced speed allows for safer merging and gives drivers more time to react to other vehicles and pedestrians.

In contrast, the other options suggest purposes that are not aligned with the primary function of roundabouts, such as increasing vehicle speeds or facilitating parking, which are not objectives of roundabout designs.