What are the warrants necessary to install a stop sign?
Throughout recent years it has become apparent that residents often view the stop sign, and especially the all way stop restriction, as a panacea to all traffic concerns. Often it is believed these measures will reduce speeds, deter cut through traffic, and generally make streets safer places to walk, cycle, and play as well as improve the quality of life within the community.

However, when measured quantitatively through studies, it becomes apparent that stop restrictions have proven to be ineffective at controlling these types of problems. If implemented for the wrong reasons, they may actually generate a multitude of new concerns. Studies have revealed that unwarranted stop signs increase collisions resulting from general disobedience and provide a false sense of security to pedestrians. Only where the warrants justify stop signs do they serve their intended functions.

According to the MUTDC, stop signs should not be used unless engineering indicates one or more of the following conditions exist:

  1. Intersection of a less important road with a main road where application of the

  2. normal right-of-way rule would not be expected to provide reasonably safe operation;

  3. Streets entering a through highway or street;

  4. Unsignalized intersection in a signalized area;

  5. High speeds, restricted view, or accident records indicate a need for control by the stop sign.

Show All Answers

1. What is meant by uniform control devices?
2. How are speed limits set?
3. What effect do posted speed limits have on actual speeds?
4. What are the warrants necessary to install a stop sign?
5. What are the warrants for a multiway stop sign?
6. Can we use one way, do not enter, and turning restrictions to control people from cutting through traffic?
7. Can streets be restricted to residents only?
8. Can speed bumps or speed humps be deployed to control speeding vehicles?