A stop sign is one of our most valuable and useful control devices used in the right place and under the right conditions. Stop signs help drivers and pedestrians at an intersection decide who has the right-of-way.

One common misuse of stop signs is to arbitrarily interrupt through traffic, either by causing it to stop or by causing such an inconvenience to force the traffic to use other routes. When stop signs are installed as "nuisances" or "speed breakers," there is a high incidence of intentional violation. In those locations where vehicles stop, the speed reduction is effective only in the stop sign's immediate vicinity, and frequent speeds are higher between intersections. For these reasons, we choose not to use stop signs as a speed control device.

A school crossing may look dangerous for children to use, causing parents to demand a stop sign to halt traffic. A vehicle, which was only a problem for three seconds while approaching and passing the intersection, is now a problem for much longer and can create indecision. When should a pedestrian cross? When should the motorist move again? Typical gaps in traffic through which crossings could be made safely no longer exist. An intersection that previously wasn’t busy now looks like a major intersection. It isn't! It just appears that way.

Most drivers are reasonable and prudent, with no intention of maliciously violating traffic regulations. However, it may result in flagrant violations when an unreasonable restriction is imposed. In such cases, the stop sign can create a false sense of security in a pedestrian and an attitude of contempt in a motorist. These two attitudes can and often do conflict with tragic results.

Well-developed, nationally recognized guidelines help to indicate when such controls become necessary. These guidelines consider the probability of vehicles arriving at an intersection at the same time, the length of time traffic must wait to enter, and the availability of safe crossing opportunities.

This is a common request from parents, who want to post a general warning sign that reads "SLOW, CHILDREN AT PLAY" or other similar messages. Parental concern for children's safety and a misplaced but widespread public faith in traffic signs to provide protection often prompts these requests.

Although some municipalities have posted such signs widely in residential areas, no factual evidence has been presented to document their success in reducing pedestrian accidents, operating speeds, or legal liability. Studies have shown many signs attempting to warn drivers about normal conditions in residential areas have failed to achieve the desired safety benefits. If signs encourage parents and children to believe they have an added degree of protection, something these signs cannot provide, this results in a great disservice.

Because of these serious considerations, Marion County and the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) published by the U.S. Department of Transportation-Federal Highway Administration do not recognize the use of "Children-At-Play" signs. The law requires all signs used on streets and highways to comply with the standards contained in the MUTCD. Specific warnings for schools are used where justified. Children should not be encouraged to play within the street travel ways. The sign has long been rejected since it is a direct and open suggestion that this behavior is acceptable.

The current policy is that the county does not allow speed humps on county-maintained roads or public rights-of-way.

Traffic signals don't always prevent accidents. Signals are not always an asset to traffic control. The installation of an unwarranted traffic signal could increase the total number of accidents and severe injury accidents in an intersection. Usually, in such instances, right-angle collisions would be reduced by traffic signals, but the total number of crashes, specifically rear-end collisions, would increase.

There are times when installing specific signals results in an increase in pedestrian accidents. Many pedestrians feel secure with a painted crosswalk and a red light between them and an approaching vehicle. On the other hand, the motorist is not always so quick to recognize these "barriers."

When can a traffic signal be an asset instead of a liability to safety? To answer this, traffic engineers have to ask and answer a series of questions:

• Are there enough cars on both streets that signal controls are necessary to clear up confusion or relieve congestion?
• Is the traffic on the main street so heavy that drivers on the side road will try to cross when unsafe?
• Are there so many pedestrians trying to cross a busy main street that confusing, congested, or hazardous conditions result?
• Are there so many schoolchildren trying to cross the street at the same time that they need unique controls for their protection?
• If so, is a traffic signal the best solution?
• Are signals at this location going to help drivers maintain a consistent pace along the route without stopping unnecessarily?
• Does the collision history indicate that signal controls will reduce the probability of collisions?
• Do two arterials intersect at this location, and will a signal help improve traffic flow?

To aid them in answering these questions, engineers compare the existing conditions with nationally accepted minimum guidelines. Experienced traffic engineers established these guidelines (warrants) from many observations at intersections throughout the country. Where guidelines were met, the signals generally were operating effectively with good public compliance. Where guidelines were not met, it reduced public compliance and resulted in additional hazards.

A traffic signal that decreases accidents and improves the flow of traffic is an asset to any community. On the other hand, an ill-advised or poorly designed signal can be a source of danger and annoyance to all that use the intersection.

In most cases, the requests do not fit the criteria for the installation of a guardrail system. The county has a long-standing policy against installing guardrails to protect fences or bushes.

As a public service and to increase awareness of highway safety, the Marion County Traffic Operations Section will fabricate and install highway safety memorial markers within the county rights-of-way to:

• Memorialize people who have died as a result of a vehicle-related crash.
• Remind motorists to protect human life by driving safely.

Please submit requests for a permit for highway safety memorial markers within the county rights-of-way to the Traffic Section. Requests for a sign may be made by immediate family members or friends, with requests from friends requiring the approval of the deceased's immediate family. A notation of how the name should appear on the marker, contact information for the immediate family, and a copy of the collision report should be included with the permit application. The Sign Division will place the marker in safe proximity to the site of the incident. Standardized signs are installed with: "Drive Safely," "In Memory," and the deceased’s name. Please note that crosses or other types of memorials are not permitted to be erected in the county rights-of-way.

No, we do not manufacture and sell signs to the public. Check the yellow pages for private companies that provide this service.