How Important Is It To Have Clarity in Street Signs?
Residents of Ocean Beach California witnessed an unfortunate incidence where a confusing and conflicting street sign led to an accident at the intersection of West Point Loma and Abbott Street.
The local residents in the area claimed that there have been at least four accidents in the past six months owing to the mixed up street signs at the intersection.
Motorists at the West Point Loma going west, can either turn left or go straight while the cars going in opposite direction have no way to know that there stands a yield sign ahead and may take it as a STOP sign.
Intersecting roads with vehicles traveling in opposite directions can lead to a disaster.
Traffic lights and STOP signs enable drivers to drive carefully through intersections.
But at times, the rules of the road are not enough to prevent accidents and a confusing street sign adds to this misfortune.
Impact of unclear signs at intersections:There are a large number of intersections throughout the country.
Some are controlled by traffic lights; some by STOP signs while other by yield signs.
A common place for driving errors and bad judgment, intersections witness a huge number of accidents.
The risk of accidents further increases when intersections have inadequate street signs.
As per NHTSA, intersections with inadequate signs, blind spots, and confusing lanes are responsible for two-thirds of all fatal crashes caused due to hazardous roads.
Impact of unclear signs on the driver:Confusing street signs can be daunting to the driver.
Incorrect or poorly placed signs can confuse drivers and cause a cognitive distraction, forcing them to pay extra attention to the sign to make sense out of it.
This cognitive distraction results in a sudden decrease in a vehicle's speed causing consequential crashes.
Impact of unclear signs on one-ways:Accidents trends are showing more and more drivers getting involved in wrong-way collisions.
Without a proper street sign to prove that highway is travelling in a particular direction, a driver fails to notice signs and may assume that the street travels in another direction.
That is, until an approaching car speeds ahead and leaves the driver in shock.
Street signs are a priceless instrument for drivers when it comes to staying secure on the roads.
Signs tell the drivers where to exit and go on the highways, when to look out for changes in the road and how fast to go.
Lack of necessary signs or confusing signs can lead to accidents.
Mounting large and clear signs which are made of reflective materials can help prevent accidents.
Drivers who have to tackle with unclear and confusing signs are inclined to make a sudden stop lower their speed, which can result into rear-end collisions.
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has found out that rural areas have blurred and washed-out traffic signs inclining drivers to accidents.
Street signs should also be sufficiently illuminated to allow road users to view them properly.
NHTSA states that fatalities caused by unclear signs are three times more during the night.
The local residents in the area claimed that there have been at least four accidents in the past six months owing to the mixed up street signs at the intersection.
Motorists at the West Point Loma going west, can either turn left or go straight while the cars going in opposite direction have no way to know that there stands a yield sign ahead and may take it as a STOP sign.
Intersecting roads with vehicles traveling in opposite directions can lead to a disaster.
Traffic lights and STOP signs enable drivers to drive carefully through intersections.
But at times, the rules of the road are not enough to prevent accidents and a confusing street sign adds to this misfortune.
Impact of unclear signs at intersections:There are a large number of intersections throughout the country.
Some are controlled by traffic lights; some by STOP signs while other by yield signs.
A common place for driving errors and bad judgment, intersections witness a huge number of accidents.
The risk of accidents further increases when intersections have inadequate street signs.
As per NHTSA, intersections with inadequate signs, blind spots, and confusing lanes are responsible for two-thirds of all fatal crashes caused due to hazardous roads.
Impact of unclear signs on the driver:Confusing street signs can be daunting to the driver.
Incorrect or poorly placed signs can confuse drivers and cause a cognitive distraction, forcing them to pay extra attention to the sign to make sense out of it.
This cognitive distraction results in a sudden decrease in a vehicle's speed causing consequential crashes.
Impact of unclear signs on one-ways:Accidents trends are showing more and more drivers getting involved in wrong-way collisions.
Without a proper street sign to prove that highway is travelling in a particular direction, a driver fails to notice signs and may assume that the street travels in another direction.
That is, until an approaching car speeds ahead and leaves the driver in shock.
Street signs are a priceless instrument for drivers when it comes to staying secure on the roads.
Signs tell the drivers where to exit and go on the highways, when to look out for changes in the road and how fast to go.
Lack of necessary signs or confusing signs can lead to accidents.
Mounting large and clear signs which are made of reflective materials can help prevent accidents.
Drivers who have to tackle with unclear and confusing signs are inclined to make a sudden stop lower their speed, which can result into rear-end collisions.
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has found out that rural areas have blurred and washed-out traffic signs inclining drivers to accidents.
Street signs should also be sufficiently illuminated to allow road users to view them properly.
NHTSA states that fatalities caused by unclear signs are three times more during the night.