Roundabouts have become commonplace in Jacksonville, and indeed throughout Northeast Florida, but when first imported from Europe in the 1990s they were a source of confusion to some drivers.

Once Americans learned that they are safer than regular intersections and speed up traffic, initial reluctance subsided.

There are more than 10,000 traffic circles nationwide. Wisconsin claims the title of most traffic circles or roundabouts. There is a difference between the two. Traffic circles may have stop signs or traffic lights. Roundabouts do not but do have center islands and built up entrance points.

The similarities between them are that both are found and move traffic counter-clockwise.

Worldwide, they date back to the 1950s and the United States was not alone in being slow to adopt them. Japan didn’t have one until 2014.

Jacksonville probably has dozens of roundabouts but Eye on Jacksonville was astonished to find that the folks in City Hall don’t know how many they have built, or where they are. Apparently, they either didn’t keep records or they couldn’t find them.

Former City Council Member Lake Ray is the person most responsible for bringing the innovation to the city.

Ray, an engineer, was on the council 1999-2007 and later served in the Florida Legislature. While on the council he served on a committee dealing with transportation and noticed there was a lot of concern about traffic. He suspected roundabouts might be one answer.

After studying roundabouts in depth, he sponsored a resolution that the council adopted, supporting roundabouts and calling for a study and use of them.

There was some resistance in the Deep State at City Hall but it got done. One of the first ones was built on Fort Caroline Road, in Ray’s district. He also served on the regional Metropolitan Planning Organization, which led to roundabouts in other Northeast Florida counties. He currently heads the First Coast Manufacturers Association.

“They relieve congestion, can increase capacity by 75 percent, and reduce accidents,” Ray said.

 It’s safe to say that initial skepticism, which often accompanies change, has been overcome and people today zip through roundabouts without giving it a thought.