HOW TO GET A STOP SIGN ON YOUR STREET

THE NUMBERS

Orange County’s Traffic Committee (department of Environmental Management Agency) frequently receives requests for safety improvements to streets and intersections. Not all the requests were for specific remedies, such as the installation of traffic lights and stop signs or for painting of a curb. There were 342 requests in 1985; 334 in 1986 and 410 in 1987. The traffic committee investigated all those requests.

The investigations led to the installation of stop signs and traffic lights at the intersections approximately two-thirds of the time.

THE PROCEDURES

Submit a letter of request to: Orange County Traffic Committee, P. O. Box 4048, Santa Ana, 92702-4048, Attn: Chairman of Traffic Committee.

You can expect a response within three to four weeks. All requests will receive a response.

After the investigation is made, it generally takes 6 to 8 weeks (except in emergency cases) to obtain a stop sign. The traffic problem at the intersection must be measured against criteria in the California State Traffic Manual, which include the volume and speed of vehicles arriving at an intersection at the same time and the availability of safe crossing opportunities.

During its investigation, the committee sometimes finds that a stop sign will not eliminate the problem, but may actually increase the hazard. If the intersection is in a small area, the committee may recommend that you ask the homeowners’ association and local law enforcement officials to take safety measures.

AVERAGE WAIT

For a 4-way stop sign, from first request to installation: 6 to 8 weeks; emergency cases: one week.

SOME CONDITIONS WARRANTING A STOP SIGN

Where traffic signals are urgently needed and a four-way stop sign can control traffic while arrangements are made for the signal installation.

When there is an accident problem, as indicated by five or more reported accidents in a 12-month period that likely could have been prevented by stop signs. These include right-angle and left-turn collisions at intersections.

Where there is substantial traffic; specifically, when at least 500 vehicles per hour enter the intersection during an eight-hour period on an average day.

On minor streets, the combined vehicle volume must average at least 200 vehicles per hour for the same eight hours.

When vehicles are delayed at least 30 seconds during the peak period because of heavy vehicular and pedestrian traffic.

Source: Orange County Traffic Committee and California State Traffic Manual