Linda Gray, who pIayed the legendary role of Sue Ellen Ewing in the hit show Dallas, had a life filled with excitement and a number of obstacles.
Recalling her childhood in Culver City, CaIifornia, she says how being given the chance to hang out with her friends around the filming studios triggered something in her that made her fall in love with acting. Her father, whom she describes as a rather cold person was always supportive of her career. Her mother used to be a heavy alcoholic while Linda and her sister were growing up so they had to take care of the house for long.
“She wasn’t falling down drunk, there was never any yeIIing,” Linda wrote in her book The Path to Happiness is Always Under Construction. “She wasn’t mean – she was just blurred, in her own world, she would forget to buy food so I started doing the cooking. My sister and I didn’t like her.”
Linda married her first and only husband, whom she separated with in 1983, photographer Edward Lee Thrasher, when she was 21. They had two children together, and although she enjoyed being a mother, it was her husband who somehow stood in her way of making a career in acting.
Although she was part of many commercials, it took Linda quite some time to finally gather the courage to attend acting classes.
In 1967, Linda was paid $25 to be Anne Bancroft’s body double in the poster for the film The Graduate not knowing that years later, or in 2001 to be exact, she would end up playing Mrs Robinson in the West End State production of The Graduate.
During the 1960s, she got a rejection letter from the Glamour Magazine, but that only made her more determined to succeed. “It was so funny that I kept that letter,” she wrote. “I kept the letter because I realized that we all have rejections, and it was her opinion when I was 20 years old. I could have had it devastate my life. But, I didn’t. This feisty streak came out – ‘Oh, yeah? I’m gonna show you!’ With great love and a lot of humor, I kept that letter. It kicked me from behind, and made me want to go and do something.”
After playing small roles, Linda finaIIy got the one that marked her career, that of Sue Ellen Ewing. She appeared in total of 308 episodes on Dallas and played alongside Larry Hagman and Patrick Duffy.
Speaking of her relationship with Hagman, Linda told CM Chat Live: “He was the bad big brother that I never had. He was always doing something in my mind wrong – he was drinking too much, or whatever, and I would reprimand him, he loved that, he loved to do something just to make me crazy. I’d say ‘Don’t eat that. You don’t need that much sugar, and stop drinking.’”
In fact, when Linda was briefly fired from the show for asking for a higher pay, it was Hagman who demanded she gets back.
For her legendary performance in Dallas, Linda received numerous awards, including two Golden Globe Awards for Best Actress – TeIevision Series Drama, as well as a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress.
Her son, Jeff Thrasher, followed into her footsteps and worked as a director. Sadly, he was diagnosed with leukemia and passed away in 2020. Linda was devastated. She had a hard time coping with the loss. Recently, she paid tribute to Jeff writing: “A celebration of my son Jeff’s life. He was the kindest, funniest, sweetest human being….. he brought the world such love and was loved by everyone! May his journey be a magicaI one.”https://www.instagram.com/p/CICmEWyrPUt/embed/captioned/?cr=1&v=14&wp=675&rd=https%3A%2F%2Fbengalimedia24.com&rp=%2Fheartbreaking-update-on-dallas-actress-linda-grey%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR2dgWz6EFpC6RtaLAWwCBgR-BcaAhAdm0FRg147EhNfvC0WfZ9fCh18Swk#%7B%22ci%22%3A0%2C%22os%22%3A1751%2C%22ls%22%3A1148.4000000059605%2C%22le%22%3A1748.4000000059605%7D
We are very sorry for her loss. Linda is doing her best to live her life without her son. She is 82 years old and is looking as stunningly beautiful as always
What are roundabouts? A transportation engineer explains the safety benefits of these circular intersections
If you’ve been driving through U.S. cities and towns, you’ve likely noticed an increase in roundabouts replacing traditional four-way intersections. Some drivers embrace them as an efficient traffic solution, while others find them confusing or even intimidating.
But what exactly is a roundabout, and why is it becoming a preferred alternative to stop signs and traffic signals? Roundabouts are not just about traffic flow—they are a safer, more efficient, and environmentally friendly way to design roads.
Let’s break down what roundabouts are, how they work, and why they are considered one of the most effective traffic management solutions today.
What is a Roundabout? Understanding the Basics
A roundabout—also known as a rotary or traffic circle—is a circular intersection where vehicles move counterclockwise around a central island. Unlike traditional intersections controlled by stop signs or traffic lights, roundabouts operate using a yield-at-entry system, meaning:
✔ Drivers entering the roundabout must yield to vehicles already circulating.
✔ Traffic flows continuously, reducing congestion and unnecessary stops.
✔ Speeds are naturally reduced, leading to safer driving conditions.
Most roundabouts also include:
🔹 Splitter islands – Raised medians that help slow down traffic before entering.
🔹 Pedestrian crosswalks – Positioned away from the central island to increase safety.
🔹 Lane markings – Clear indicators help guide drivers into the correct exit lane.
The result? A smoother, safer, and more efficient intersection that reduces both traffic delays and accidents.
A Brief History of Roundabouts
Many people assume roundabouts are a modern innovation, but their history dates back hundreds of years.
Video : Roundabout Safety Benefits
- 1700s – Early versions of circular intersections appeared in Europe, particularly in England and France.
- 1800s-1900s – Washington, D.C. was designed with multiple traffic circles, inspired by European models.
- 1950s – The United Kingdom introduced the yield-at-entry rule, transforming roundabouts into the efficient system we use today.
- 1990s – The first modern roundabout in the U.S. was built in Summerlin, Nevada in 1990.
- Today – Over 10,000 roundabouts exist in the United States, with more being installed every year.
While roundabouts have been common in Europe and Australia for decades, the U.S. is now rapidly adopting them due to their proven safety and efficiency benefits.
Why Roundabouts Are Safer Than Traditional Intersections
One of the biggest reasons cities are replacing traditional intersections with roundabouts is safety.
1. Fewer Conflict Points = Fewer Accidents
A typical four-way intersection has 32 conflict points—areas where vehicle paths cross, increasing the risk of collisions. In contrast, a roundabout reduces conflict points to just 8.
This means:
✔ No head-on collisions
✔ No dangerous T-bone crashes
✔ Fewer high-speed impacts
According to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), roundabouts can reduce serious and fatal crashes by up to 90% when replacing a stop-controlled intersection. Even when replacing a traffic signal intersection, they reduce serious crashes by nearly 80%.
2. Lower Speeds = Less Severe Collisions
In a roundabout, vehicles enter and exit at lower speeds (15-25 mph), compared to the higher speeds (40-50 mph) seen at traditional intersections.
Lower speeds lead to:
✔ Less severe crashes
✔ Fewer pedestrian injuries
✔ Easier decision-making for drivers
3. Safer for Pedestrians and Cyclists
Roundabouts offer better protection for pedestrians because:
✔ Crosswalks are set back from the circular flow, allowing drivers to see pedestrians clearly.
✔ Pedestrians only cross one direction of traffic at a time, making crossings safer.
✔ Cyclists can either merge into traffic or use a designated bike path, depending on the design.
With these safety features, roundabouts significantly reduce pedestrian-related accidents compared to traditional intersections.
Efficiency: Why Roundabouts Improve Traffic Flow
Beyond safety, roundabouts are also more efficient than stop signs or traffic lights.
1. Less Waiting, More Moving
At a traditional intersection, cars must stop at red lights, even when there’s no cross traffic. In a roundabout:
✔ Traffic keeps moving – No unnecessary stops.
✔ Fewer backups – No long wait times during rush hour.
✔ Reduced driver frustration – No more waiting for a green light when there’s no oncoming traffic.
2. Eliminating Left Turns = Smoother Flow
One of the most dangerous and disruptive movements at an intersection is the left turn. Roundabouts eliminate left turns, forcing all vehicles to move in the same direction, improving:
✔ Traffic efficiency – No waiting for gaps in oncoming traffic.
✔ Driver decision-making – No confusion about when to turn.
3. Roundabouts Handle High Traffic Volumes Better
Unlike stop signs and traffic lights, which cause congestion during peak hours, roundabouts allow continuous movement, making them ideal for high-traffic areas.
Environmental Benefits: How Roundabouts Help the Planet
Roundabouts aren’t just safer and more efficient—they also have environmental advantages.
1. Reduced Fuel Consumption
✔ Less idling at red lights = less wasted fuel
✔ Lower speeds = better fuel efficiency
According to studies, roundabouts can reduce fuel consumption by up to 30%, making them a cost-effective solution for drivers.
2. Lower Carbon Emissions
Fewer stops and starts mean lower emissions, helping reduce air pollution in urban areas. Cities that replace signalized intersections with roundabouts see:
✔ Less smog and pollution
✔ Improved air quality
3. Less Road Maintenance Required
✔ No traffic signals = lower maintenance costs
✔ Roundabouts last longer than traffic lights
With less infrastructure to maintain, roundabouts save cities money in the long run.
Challenges: Why Some Drivers Struggle with Roundabouts
Despite their many benefits, some drivers remain hesitant about roundabouts. Common challenges include:
🚦 Confusion about yielding – Some drivers don’t understand that they must yield to circulating traffic before entering.
🚦 Merging issues – Drivers unfamiliar with roundabouts sometimes hesitate, causing unnecessary slowdowns.
🚦 Exit mistakes – Some drivers find it difficult to choose the correct exit and miss their turn.
However, studies show that once drivers become familiar with roundabouts, their confidence improves significantly.
Video : Principles of Intersection Safety
Final Thoughts: Are Roundabouts the Future of Road Design?
Roundabouts are more than just a traffic trend—they are a safer, smarter, and greener solution for modern transportation. With their ability to reduce crashes, improve traffic flow, and lower emissions, they are quickly becoming a preferred alternative to traditional intersections.
🚗 Safer roads, fewer accidents
🚗 Smoother traffic, less congestion
🚗 Lower fuel costs, reduced pollution
As more states adopt roundabouts in urban and suburban planning, they will likely become a permanent feature of America’s roadways.
So next time you approach a roundabout, embrace the change—it’s making our roads safer and more efficient for everyone!
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