They are commonly misused in an effort to control speed on local streets. Many people believe that forcing motorists to stop at intersections will curtail speeding. However, studies show that stop signs only reduce speed in the immediate vicinity of the sign.
Most drivers accelerate between intersections to make up for the time lost at the stop sign.
Engineering studies indicate that the installation of inappropriate stop signs may cause additional problems such as more rear-end collisions, diversion of traffic onto side streets and drives ignoring the stop. Proper placement Referring to the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices coupled with professional judgment and local knowledge will result in warranted placement of stop signs. For example, familiarity with the local road system will help you quickly identify problem accident locations that may be improved by stop signs. Additionally, you will want to make vehicle volume counts, sight distance measurements and vehicle speed and delay estimates. By following appropriate steps before installing stop signs, their use and location may reduce accidents and effectively regulate traffic.