Canberra is often labelled the roundabout capital of Australia, with locals and tourists alike consistently poking fun at the seemingly absurd number of traffic circles in the city. But now the new William Maker Drive and Northern Distributor Road roundabout is complete and open, there's potential that's a title Orange could actually lay claim to. Even if it is based on a technicality. Orange doesn't come close on sheer number of roundabouts with the newest addition - also one of the biggest - taking the city's tally to 45 compared to Canberra's estimated 410. But comparing the two cities per capita tells a different story, one in which Orange sneaks past Canberra and blitzes the Central West's other main - and arguably more comparable - centres. With the numbers crunched, Orange has roughly 890 people per roundabout compared to Canberra's 980. Bathurst and Dubbo pale in comparison, with 31 and 34 roundabouts respectively both cities sit well above the 1000 people per traffic circle mark. The nation's other capital cities all boast similar, or higher numbers. Of course, the point of roundabouts is to manage traffic flow and, in turn, increase safety levels for motorists. As one of the people who uses Orange's plethora of roundabouts the most, Orange Driving School's Graham Kidson firmly believes they do just that. READ MORE: Greens 'angry' about $25 million stadium location following public forum "There does seem to be thousands in Orange," he said, with a laugh. "They do manage traffic flow well in Orange though I think and that helps with safety, so it's a good thing [Orange City Council] keep building more around where they're needed." READ MORE: Deputy premier in Orange to inspect $5 million roundabout For a driving instructor, the abundance of roundabouts certainly provides excellent teaching opportunities for Mr Kidson, who offered some sage advice relevant to not just learners but all drivers. "The best advice for roundabouts, I think, is to approach them slowly," Mr Kidson said. "When you approach a roundabout slowly it gives you a lot more time to react to what's happening around, a lot more time to stop or indicate or to make any decisions." READ MORE: Little Patrick in the fight of his life after being born with hole in his heart The William Maker Drive and Northern Distributor Road roundabout was opened in late 2020 after work began in February last year, the tender was awardeded by Orange City Council the previous year. Residents had previously expressed concerns over safety during peak hour, while then councillor and now deputy mayor Glenn Taylor had raised issues with it way back in 2016.
SPINNING AROUND: Nationals MLC Sam Farraway, mayor Reg Kidd, Deputy premier John Barilaro and state MP Phil Donato at the opening of Orange's newest roundabout, the city's 45th. Photo: CARLA FREEDMAN
Canberra is often labelled the roundabout capital of Australia, with locals and tourists alike consistently poking fun at the seemingly absurd number of traffic circles in the city.
But now the new William Maker Drive and Northern Distributor Road roundabout is complete and open, there's potential that's a title Orange could actually lay claim to.
Even if it is based on a technicality.
Orange doesn't come close on sheer number of roundabouts with the newest addition - also one of the biggest - taking the city's tally to 45 compared to Canberra's estimated 410.
TREASURE MAP: The location of all 45 of Orange's roundabouts.
But comparing the two cities per capita tells a different story, one in which Orange sneaks past Canberra and blitzes the Central West's other main - and arguably more comparable - centres.
With the numbers crunched, Orange has roughly 890 people per roundabout compared to Canberra's 980.
Bathurst and Dubbo pale in comparison, with 31 and 34 roundabouts respectively both cities sit well above the 1000 people per traffic circle mark. The nation's other capital cities all boast similar, or higher numbers.
They do manage traffic flow well in Orange and that helps with safety, so it's a good thing [Orange City Council] keep building more around.
Orange Driving School's Graham Kidson
Of course, the point of roundabouts is to manage traffic flow and, in turn, increase safety levels for motorists.
As one of the people who uses Orange's plethora of roundabouts the most, Orange Driving School's Graham Kidson firmly believes they do just that.
"There does seem to be thousands in Orange," he said, with a laugh.
"They do manage traffic flow well in Orange though I think and that helps with safety, so it's a good thing [Orange City Council] keep building more around where they're needed."
For a driving instructor, the abundance of roundabouts certainly provides excellent teaching opportunities for Mr Kidson, who offered some sage advice relevant to not just learners but all drivers.
"The best advice for roundabouts, I think, is to approach them slowly," Mr Kidson said.
"When you approach a roundabout slowly it gives you a lot more time to react to what's happening around, a lot more time to stop or indicate or to make any decisions."
The William Maker Drive and Northern Distributor Road roundabout was opened in late 2020 after work began in February last year, the tender was awardeded by Orange City Council the previous year.
Residents had previously expressed concerns over safety during peak hour, while then councillor and now deputy mayor Glenn Taylor had raised issues with it way back in 2016.
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