The City Just Made a Video Because It Doesn’t Trust Us to Drive

You've got this, Owensboro!

That's the encouraging message of a brand new video released by the Owensboro Police Department. That video, shot in cooperation with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, the City of Owensboro, OPD, and WBKR, is a comical and spirited tutorial about how to use the brand new roundabout that sits at the intersection near Hillcrest Golf Course here in town. Three different and frequently trafficked roads pour into that big circle - Old Hartford Road, Foors Lane, and Fairview Drive.

Shaelie Velez (Owensboro's Communications and Marketing Manager) and Maddie Haynes rallied the troops to help film this hysterical "Circle of Life" video.

Chad Benefield/WBKR

Assisting in the production project were various members of the Owensboro Police Department - Public Information Officer Mark Hammonds, DARE Officer Shawn Cucci, Officer Doucet, and Sgt. Josh Bennett, who had the honors (and assignment) of capturing all the drone footage.

Also, I have to give a shout out to Matt Hughes from the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet. He oversaw the project and even has a cameo in the video. He wields a yield sign like it's Simba!

When the drone lifted off and the cameras were ready to roll, my morning show co-host Mary-Katherine Maddox and I climbed into a golf cart and were instructed on how to properly maneuver the roundabout.

Chad Benefield/WBKR

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Check it out on the Owensboro Police Department Facebook page.

This roundabout is just the second here in Daviess County. The first, which is located at the intersection of Hwy 56 and Hwy 81, still gives some local motorists fits. Honestly, it's been there for years and you'd think everyone was used to it by now - apparently not!  There's an ongoing joke that people in Daviess County don't know how to use 4-way stops or roundabouts. I'm not sure that joke is entirely false.

Predicting similar issues at the new roundabout, city officials decided that the "Circle of Life" tutorial may help. As you can see, it demonstrates when to yield, when to keep moving, and how to properly exit.

The brand new roundabout is now open to the public. Crews expected to finish the line painting over the weekend, but rain threw a wrench into those plans. However, after plenty of sunshine Monday and Tuesday, the roundabout is now ready to roll. The question is - are you?

Remember, you've got this, Owensboro!