I've been spending some time in the South African town Welkom (Vel-kom) working on a project with Sonja. Welkom is renowned for its traffic circles. Welkom is in fact the last bastion of traffic circles as a traffic management system in South Africa. There was uproar recently as Welkom installed its first traffic light. They are very proud of their traffic circles and take their associated identity as a town more seriously than their support of the local rugby side. This patriotism is embodied in a simple joke:

Q: How do you know if there is a Jo'burger in Welkom?

A: There are accidents at the traffic circles.

A traffic circle is a wonderful example of a organic, naturally-flowing system. The argument for traffic circles over traffic lights seems to make much sense. Check out the Magic Roundabout – there is apparently never congestion in Swindon as a result of this system.