The first mini-roundabout in Minnesota

The first mini-roundabout in Minnesota was built at County Road 79 and Vierling Drive in Shakopee, MN in the summer of 2013.  The inscribed diameter is about 80 feet, compared to the diameter of a typical roundabout at about 132 feet. It may be the first, but it is also the worst. 

Because of it's small size, people who are not familiar with roundabouts tend to ignore the yield signs and blow right through the intersection. The problem is that they do not slow down and do not yield for people who are already in the roundabout. This happens most often with vehicles that are traveling north on County Road 79. They totally ignore the yield sign. If I see cars coming from the south, I will stop and wait, because often more than one car will blow through. I've had numerous close calls and get a feeling of dread every time I approach this intersection. If anything, they need to put up flashing yield signs to get drivers to at least slow down as they approach.

The other day I was traveling south on County Road 79 and was in the roundabout with my directional on to turn left. I saw a car coming toward the intersection from the South. The rules say that you need to yield to anyone who is already in the roundabout. But, this driver didn't even slow down. If I had attempted to complete my turn with the assumption that the other driver was going to yield, there would have been a collision. I don't know the accident statistics for this roundabout, but I have seen collision debris at this location more than a few times. This intersection is only busy during certain times of the day. Most often on weekday mornings and mid-afternoon because of the grade school just to the north. The intersection used to be a four way stop, but would often backup as parents tried to drive their kids to school each day. The change alleviated that problem, but not without hidden risks for drivers and pedestrians who encounter Minnesota's first mini-roundabout.