Going round the southern and eastern part of Bristol is what is called the Ring Road, which has large roundabouts at regular intervals. What I can't get to grips with is why they also have traffic lights.
I can understand traffic lights being used at times of high flow, but these operate continuously and therefore negate the need for the roundabouts in the first place.
The purpose of a roundabout is not only to facilitate flow at a crossroads, but to slow traffic at an approach to a junction, so that any accident that may occur does so at a much reduced speed - the mere process of going round a roundabout slows a car down dramatically.
My confusion over the purpose of both traffic lights and a roundabout is compounded by the fact that a roundabout just before final approaches to the Ring Road's junction with the A4 between Bath and Bristol has recently undergone extensive roadworks to remove the roundabout.
Perhaps it's just a belt and braces approach, or queue detection is in operation. Any input is most welcome in resolving my confusion.
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