Stop Sign Study

Stop signs are used at intersections to separate potentially conflicting traffic movements and thus prevent crashes. Drivers who fail to stop or, after stopping, proceed with insufficient caution create a substantial crash risk. The purpose of this study was to evaluate strategies to improve motorist compliance and caution at stop signs. The primary device used in this study was a light-emitting diode (LED) sign that featured animated eyes scanning left and right to prompt drivers to look left and right for approaching traffic. The introduction of the animated LED eyes at three stop sign-controlled intersections was associated with significant increases in the percentage of vehicles coming to a complete stop and a small increase in the percentage of drivers looking right before entering the intersections. Right-angle conflicts also were reduced. The animated eyes display could also be used with symbol icons showing when vehicles are approaching in a direction with poor sight distance.