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Running in circles or reducing incidents?

Believe it or not, roundabouts aren’t just there to make you question your sense of direction, make your GPS recalculate for the fifth time, or give your Uncle Bob another conspiracy theory to support. These circular marvels are actually traffic safety ninjas.

Studies by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) have shown that roundabouts typically result in:

How to maneuver the roundabout

Don’t let these circular conundrums make drivers question everything you thought they knew about right-of-way, geometry, and your own patience. Here what to know so you can manage roundabouts without the road rage:

• Counterclockwise travel — Traffic travels counterclockwise around the center island. (In other words, spin around to the right.) Drivers should choose the lane where they want to go after the roundabout since there’s not much time to shift gears (or lanes).
• Entry yields control — Vehicles entering the roundabout yield to traffic already circulating. (In other words, whoever is in the circle first has the right-of-way.) Drivers must yield to traffic in all lanes of the roundabout, not just in the lane closest to them, and allow room for larger vehicles like semis or those pulling trailers.
• Don’t stop if you don’t have to — The entrance to the roundabout is a “yield” rather than a “stop.” (In other words, plan ahead so you can enter seamlessly into the circle so the confident roundabout renegade behind you doesn’t join you in your back seat!)
• Low speed — The curvature of the roundabout requires slower vehicle speeds (15-25 mph) throughout the roundabout. (In other words, slow down!)
• No power necessary — Unlike traffic signals, roundabouts are not susceptible to power failures to keep a tab on traffic chaos.

Think of navigating a roundabout like you are joining a polite game of bumper cars — everyone’s circling, and nobody’s crashing. You enter and exit only when you’ve proven you know how to yield without panicking (or making eye contact). Until then, you can always ask Siri how to avoid them altogether, but you may want to leave the house earlier!

Where the idea originated

For the critical thinkers who like to know where this concept of avoiding vertigo on the way to the office originated, here’s a historical detour to see that the idea isn’t new. Roundabouts have been a concept since an 18th century inventor called Pierre L’Enfant designed what became known as “traffic circles” in Washington DC.

The traffic trickery became part of the transportation system in 1905, when the Columbus Circle opened in New York City—one of the first traffic circles designed for cars. We have William Phelps Eno to thank (or criticize, depending upon your opinion of roundabouts) for that. The first European roundabout was built in 1907 in Letchworth Garden City, England — not for traffic, but as a pedestrian island. So yes, the early roundabouts weren’t even meant for cars, which might explain why some drivers still treat them like mysterious crop circles.

Improvements were made in the UK in the 1960’s to help prevent circular intersections from locking up, by not allowing vehicles to enter the intersection until there were enough gaps in circulating traffic. In addition, smaller circular intersections were proposed to not just fit the geography but that made vehicles turn more tightly, resulting in slower entry and circulating speeds.

The modern roundabout has greatly improved in terms of operations and safety, when compared with older roadway rotaries. The benefits of which include:

• Promoting lower speeds and traffic calming which reduces incidents;
• Reducing conflict points and traffic back-ups which improves traffic flow and reduces driver anxiety and frustration;
• Improving vehicle operational performance (e.g., gas conservation, reducing engine overheating, etc.); and
• Meeting a wide range of traffic conditions with versatility in size, shape, and design.

These obnoxious orbs are popping up everywhere across the U.S. and Canada, but now you are prepared to circle in style!

Key to remember: Roundabouts aren’t just a fancy way to make you feel like a NASCAR driver. Once you crack the circular code, you may just embrace these engineering superheroes for their ability to not only reduce traffic jams and fender benders but save lives!

Weight-mile tax (WMT) simplification

The WMT structure is simplified starting July 1, 2027. Tax weight will be the same as registration weight. Several transportation fees including Flat Fees, WMT, and Road Use Assessment Fee (RUAF) rates will see rate changes.

Carriers will be asked to amend their enrolled vehicle weights in spring 2027.

Oregon joining IFTA

The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) will also implement a hybrid tax system in accordance with House Bill 3991. Heavy trucks will start paying fuels tax along with reduced WMT. Oregon will become a full participant in the IFTA program and begin collecting and distributing IFTA monies from all carriers, as opposed to only collecting IFTA taxes and fees for Oregon-based carriers.

Other important changes that will occur at the same time include:

• The Oregon Registration Commercial Authority Application (ORCAA) Implementation Project will create a more versatile and modern commercial vehicle registration and IFTA system.
• Diesel becomes a motor vehicle fuel taxed at first sale in Oregon.
• The WMT Electric Rates Table will be deployed for heavy electric commercial vehicles (EVs).
• WMT rates for non-EVs will be reduced to accommodate for a hybrid taxation model with the added diesel tax.
• Dyed diesel and IFTA enforcement will begin.

On July 1, 2029, RUAF, WMT rates, and flat fee rates change in alignment with diesel tax implementation.

Review the same areas regulators will examine

The first step in any mock audit is determining what areas to review. While every operation is different, carriers should evaluate the same areas regulators are likely to scrutinize during an investigation. This typically includes driver qualification files, hours-of-service records, vehicle maintenance documentation, drug-and-alcohol testing records, accident registers, and supporting safety policies.

Companies should also understand which documents auditors frequently request. Recent enforcement trends have shown auditors requesting broader sets of records, including documentation related to drivers, maintenance activities, and multiple areas of compliance. Carriers that can quickly produce organized and accurate records often experience a smoother review process than those scrambling to locate documents after receiving an auditor's request.

Let roadside inspection data guide your efforts

One of the most valuable resources available during a mock audit is a carrier's own roadside inspection history. Roadside inspections generate information that regulators use to evaluate both driver and carrier safety performance. Violations identified during inspections often reveal trends that deserve closer attention.

For example, recurring logbook violations may indicate training gaps, while repeated vehicle maintenance violations could suggest weaknesses in preventive maintenance programs. Driver qualification issues may point to inconsistent hiring or recordkeeping practices. By analyzing inspection results, carriers can focus their compliance efforts on the greatest risks and address concerns before they attract additional regulatory attention.

Take action of what you find

A mock audit is only effective if deficiencies are corrected and tracked to completion. Identifying a problem without implementing a solution provides little value and leaves the organization vulnerable to repeat violations.

Successful carriers establish a corrective action process that:

• Assigns responsibility,
• Sets deadlines,
• Verifies completion, and
• Documents the results.

These records not only help improve compliance but can also demonstrate a commitment to safety if regulators ever review the company's programs.

Key to remember: A structured mock audit program helps carriers identify risks early, strengthen compliance processes, and improve their overall safety posture.