Why do people hate roundabouts? Rockford drivers explain

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — Loves Park’s announcement of a new roundabout near the Indoor Sports Center has reignited frustration among stateline drivers who say there’s a reason why people hate them.

While officials have praised efficiency of roundabouts, residents say they’re anything but pleasant. And there’s one reason for that. Bad drivers.

“If you’re yielding and flowing with traffic, there’s no reason for a complete stop,” said Chanel Hazley, of South Beloit.

Hazley says her biggest frustration, which often turns to anger, starts to mount when drivers in front her treat a roundabout like four-way stop, instead of yielding. She said when that happens, it disrupts the intended flow of roundabouts, which are designed to slow vehicles just enough for safe entry and continuous movement.

“No one ever needs to hit zero,” she said.

When used correctly, roundabouts are effective tools for managing traffic. A 2025 report from Rockford notes a 60-percent reduction in accidents at the North Main and Auburn roundabout since it was reduced to a single lane last year. The reduction has resulted in some congestion, but the city is willing to accept a few traffic jams for only about two crashes per month.

A lot of the congestion at Main and Auburn, among other roundabouts, happens at peak driving time, when drivers like Hazley need to get to point A and Point B as quickly as possible.

“During work hours, seven in the morning, it’s packed,” Hazley said. “Even with buses and traffic like trailers and stuff like that. It’s packed.”

Machesney Park resident Andrew Beggs says his white-knuckle moments come when drivers stop in the middle of a roundabout or simply don’t know that multi-lane traffic circles have specific purposes.

“People [cut] in and out of lanes when they’re trying to go through the roundabout, kind of not paying attention,” he said.

A roundabout is simple in theory—yield, watch for oncoming cars, and keep moving. But, as more drivers remain unfamiliar with roundabouts, locals worry the problems, and their hatred for them, will only worsen.

“People will hold you back if they’re not ready,” Hazley said. “And if you’re behind them, then you’re stuck.”