Turning at intersections in North Idaho got a little more interesting in recent years. It seems like every city and town around here has at least one roundabout these days, and many have several to negotiate.

There's a couple near North Idaho College now. Post Falls has some on Poleline Avenue and in the neighborhoods to the north, and Fourth Street has a couple, with the busiest near Coeur d'Alene High School.

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I see quite a few roundabouts now with one-foot-high concrete walls on the inside, to ensure that no one attempts to drive straight through the middle, as has happened more than once on the roundabouts on Poleline in Post Falls.

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I have to say I haven't had any bad experiences with our local roundabouts yet. I hear stories of drivers not yielding and just entering the circle without pause, regardless of who or what is occupying it.

I am just glad I am not required to stop at such intersections, unless someone is occupying the roundabout. As soon as they are clear, I'm set to be on my way. Most often, no one is around and I can just cruise on through and be on my way. Beats a red light any day.

Too often I have sat at a red light, usually at night, waiting for a green that never seems to come - no other cross traffic in sight. Do I give in and just drive through the red, or patiently wait some more? Traffic laws say to wait, but how many actually do?

At least with a roundabout, you're not at the mercy of the three-lighted monster that won't grant your wish.

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And I think most people that are dead-set against the local roundabouts would change their tune if they had to navigate through a multi-lane roundabout.

Yep, I said multi-lane. Deciding which lane to maintain as you enter adds another element to getting through safely, especially since the multi-lanes tend to be installed in very busy intersections.

I've only been through a few multi-lanes, and I really would sleep soundly if I knew I'd never see another one.

Here's an excerpt from the Washington State Department of Transportation's website on safely navigating roundabouts:

"Roundabouts are designed to make intersections safer and more efficient for drivers, pedestrians and cyclists. There are two types of roundabouts: Single-lane roundabouts and multi-lane roundabouts.

There are a few key things to remember about driving roundabouts:

• Yield to drivers in the roundabout

• Stay in your lane; do not change lanes (applies to multi-lanes)

• Do not stop in the roundabout

• Avoid driving next to oversize vehicles (again multi-lanes)"

- www.wsdot.wa.gov/safety/roundabouts/

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I think the biggest problem we have around here is that there are so few of these curved creatures that people don't get used to them.

Also they do take up a good chunk of real estate compared to a normal four-way intersection.

So if you're one of the roundabout haters, remember: It could always be worse.

You could be waiting at an intersection, not a soul in sight, with a red beam gleaming through the windshield at you, smugly controlling your lack of forward progress. Your trip, let alone your life, is on hold.

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Going 'round doesn't seem so bad.

Jerry Hitchcock, who has caught the curb on a roundabout a time or two, is a copy editor for The Press. He can be reached at 664-8176, Ext. 2017, or via email at [email protected].