Transport Quebec has discovered that there have been more accidents at places where intersections have been replaced by round-abouts, but there are fewer people being injured in those accidents.
Engineers studied the number and severity of accidents at 17 locations across the province where roundabouts replaced intersections.
They study showed a 9% increase in the number of accidents, but a 63% decrease in the number of people who were hurt.
The study authors speculate that motorists are still unfamiliar with roundabouts and fail to yield at the appropriate time, but fewer people are getting hurt because accidents usually occur at a lower speed and at angles that reduce the severity of the impact.