DMV Reaches Out to Drivers in Wisconsin with Roundabout Flyers in Mailings

NHTSA · 2011 · ROSA P / United States. Department of Transportation. Federal Highway Administration. Office of Safety

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Summary

This document details a public outreach initiative by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) aimed at increasing public acceptance and safety regarding roundabouts. The project was motivated by historical resistance to roundabout installations in the state. In 2004, the Southeast Region director of WisDOT recognized that previous projects faced opposition and concluded that proactive education of citizens prior to project announcements would foster greater acceptance. To address this, WisDOT adopted a multi-pronged strategy designed to reach the general public through various media channels, acknowledging that reliance on a single medium would fail to engage all citizens. The implementation involved several specific methods to disseminate information. WisDOT collaborated with the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to include roundabout informational flyers with every vehicle registration mail-out, whether for new registrations or renewals, thereby targeting every registered vehicle owner in the state. Additionally, roundabout information sheets were integrated into the Wisconsin Motorist’s Handbook, which is used in public and private high schools. To reach younger drivers and specific demographics, the agency produced instructional YouTube videos and MP3 audio recordings demonstrating how to navigate multi-lane roundabouts. These digital resources were distributed to driving schools, legislative representatives, public television stations, trucking firms, police agencies, and libraries. WisDOT also included roundabout diagrams and instructions on state maps to assist travelers from other regions. Furthermore, the agency drafted an information sheet for the Commercial Vehicle Handbook to educate commercial drivers. The results indicated that the direct-mail flyers were particularly effective. WisDOT reported that most follow-up phone calls originated from individuals who had received the flyers with their registration materials, suggesting that the public was engaging with accurate, factual information rather than reacting to misinformation. The broader success of the initiative is evidenced by the proliferation of roundabouts in Wisconsin; by early 2011, there were an estimated 150 existing roundabouts across the state, with dozens more planned for construction. The outreach efforts were cost-effective, with over 4 million color flyers distributed for approximately $20,000. Additional costs included $5,000 for a general roundabout video and roughly $35,000 for two specific multi-lane roundabout videos. The significance of this case study lies in its demonstration of effective public engagement strategies for traffic infrastructure changes. The key lesson learned is that utilizing multiple communication channels is essential because different audiences consume information through different media. Specifically, targeting all registered vehicle owners through DMV mailings proved to be a highly efficient method for ensuring widespread dissemination of safety information. This approach helped ensure that drivers of all ages and experience levels, including commercial operators, possessed the necessary knowledge to navigate roundabouts safely, thereby supporting the state's goal of improving traffic flow and reducing crashes.

Key finding

Including roundabout information flyers with vehicle registration mailouts was identified as a particularly effective method for educating drivers and generating positive engagement.

Methodology

field_study

Provenance

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Summary generated by qwen3.6-27b-prismaquant on 2026-06-10; verification: verified.

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