Letter To The Editor: Stop Sign Discussion
Osky News
Editors Note: The views and opinions expressed in this editorial are not necessarily the views or opinions of Oskaloosa News.
As City Council moves into its 3rd reading on Monday over stop signs, I believe it’s an important time to review some basic findings over removing the stop signs, as well as, others that have been removed. It seems this issue has stemmed far away from overall safety into an “Us vs. Them” trophy. I’d like to take a moment for us all to step back and to work on this project together meaning elected officials, parents, and citizens of Oskaloosa. In order to do that, I would like to establish a baseline of facts and research.
Before I make a decision, I do research on the topic pro vs. cons. Then come to an informed decision based on the correct information. For those of you that approach topics in this manner, you might find what I have to present as informative. For some that are against removing the stop signs, no amount of facts or research will change your mind. A simple google search of “stop sign traffic study” will provide you with a plethora of studies nationwide over the facts. I have found to date that explaining traffic engineering is a lot like early explorers explaining to people the world is not actually flat but round. The actual facts behind traffic engineering may be contrary to what you think is the “Common Sense” action to take. When you are presented with this data, at first it can be a little hard to take in. So what do you do if the facts don’t support your actions or even is contrary to what you believe?
The fact is the traffic studies done by multiple states and independent of each other have come to the conclusion that adding signs or signals to intersections that do not warrant them, such as in this case, actually increase accidents and decrease safety. This can be attributed to multiple conditions for example: unwarranted stop signs encourage motorists to drive faster between intersections, increase the chance driver’s disregard conflicting traffic and pedestrian traffic. A study in Boulder, Colorado concluded that in the 85th percentile of unwarranted signs 50% did not stop and raised the mean speed from 25mph to 35mph. In Star City, West Virginia “no-stops” rose from 14.1% to 25.1% and had no effect on mean speed but indicated an overall increase in accidents by conveying a false sense of security. The recommendation from this study was to end four-way stops as speed control. Lastly a study by the Michigan Office of Highway and Safety Planning concluded that using four-way stops at school crossings are only useful 2% of the time. Therefore, 98% of the time can be serious traffic hazards. They recommend using a concept called “Traffic Calming.” That involves enforcement, education, engineering and community involvement. This I believe is the correct approach as overwhelmingly studies and research into traffic engineering, by not only DOT divisions, but by Municipality, Cities, and States across the US have concluded using stop signs as speed control or as an added level of protection where it is unwarranted will actually increase the accident rate and decrease safety. Potential liability concerns were raised in the Michigan study where lawsuits could be brought forth if there is a contradiction to accepted standards.
It is easy for human nature to give way to emotion vs. facts. But in “Feeling Good,” we have increased the risk as counterintuitive as it may seem. The public safety committee met with the school board and has come up with a comprehensive plan that will be discussed on the next council meeting. This will include speed reduction to 15mph, adding flashing yellow lighted signs, no parking in areas around the school, and possibly additional parking in which I think is a better solution than focusing on one intersection. This has all been added because it looks like Webster will be a school that we will continue to use over the next 5 years or possibly longer. The new daycare center is yet to be determined. It was thought perhaps initially Webster was a temporary solution. But it now looks more viable and perhaps a bridge to the possible new daycare center that may come into fruition.
The bottom line here is simple. We all need the correct information and research to make informed decisions. If we all can agree on the basic facts supported by traffic engineers and studies around the US, we can make better decisions that will increase the chance of protecting everyone as a driver and pedestrian, young or old, but we all have to work together. We cannot all work against each other based off preconceived notions and entrenched attitudes and expect real results. I am providing the studies I have researched for you to conclude your own informed decision. My hope is that at the very minimum we can agree on some basic facts and dispel some myths. Certainly it would be better politically for many of us to ignore what the facts and studies present. However, in doing so we counter intuitively have made intersections and traffic more dangerous and failed our principle mission of projecting our children.
Jason Van Zetten
4th Ward City Council
