Traffic in Poulsbo has taken on all of the tension, and none of the excitement or fun of the old schoolyard game “Red Light/Green Light.” That’s the one where some lucky kid yells out “Green light!” for go and “Red light!” for stop as everyone tries to make it to the finish line in “Simon Says-esque fashion.” If you’re moving during a “Red light!” you’re out.

We have no solid proof but are convinced someone at the Washington State Department of Transportation started this as a preparatory measure for future drivers who will someday be asked to execute the exact same maneuver while driving along at 35 mph with the radio blaring and a small army of 5 year olds playing “slug bug” in the back seat.

“Red light!” translates into either a) a ticket b) a fender bender or c) both.

“Green light!” Well, true to form in Poulsbo, those seem to be few and far between. Putting the emphasis on one’s reaction to “Red light!”

Those North Kitsap residents who have yet to set foot or tire tread on Bainbridge Island or Europe for that matter — the latter being much less expensive than the former, of course — might not realize that “Red Light/Green Light” isn’t the only game available at four-way intersections.

Roundabouts are another viable option.

Sure they’re not as “fun” as slamming on your brakes on a millisecond’s notice because the driver ahead of you decided not to attempt a yellow light, but they do offer other advantages.

Namely, when installed and used properly, they help motorists go with the flow, yielding to traffic as needed.

Yielding? In Poulsbo?

True, for drivers who still can’t figure out who should go first at the four-way intersection of Front Street and Jensen Way this could be a tall order. For those still baffled by this motoring quagmire, it’s first come, first served. Tie goes to the driver on the right. If you’re across the intersection and reach it at the same time, no need to worry unless one of you is turning. Then he or she should yield. Or you can be courteous. Fairly easy.

Roundabouts are even simpler.

Traffic flows into them.

If there is a vehicle driving in the roundabout, it has the right of way, i.e. it’s not OK to plow into it. Motorists wait their turn (look left) and when it’s clear, enter the roundabout, exiting at their desired street.

Poulsbo has several potential locations in mind right now. Some will work for roundabouts, others won’t. But at least city officials are considering them, as well they should. But seeing is believing and while sending the city council to Ireland for a week for a tour of its roundabout system (and no doubt its many pubs) might be a tough sell, a trip to Bainbridge Island to see its single, albeit busy roundabout in action would prove much easier.

Gig Harbor’s network of roundabouts on Burnham Drive would offer city officials an extremely detailed look at how the traffic system handles an even larger traffic load.

Bottom line: they can and do work and don’t require the often expensive chore of moving and/or adding utilities in order to get the game of “Red Light/Green Light” started.

Poulsbo should definitely give roundabouts the due consideration they deserve, move forward with the research and whatnot and give traffic in the city a turn for the better for a change.