Original publication: Stop Sign-Controlled Intersections: Enhanced Signs and Markings: A Winston-Salem Success Story; FHWA-SA-09-010; 2009 (PDF, 355kB)

Stop signs are the primary form of traffic control at intersections across the United States. However, intersections controlled by stop signs account for one-third of all intersection crashes and more than 40 percent of fatal crashes (Source: Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, Volume 37, No 9, October 26, 2000). The City of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, was concerned about the high number of crashes at some of its intersections controlled by stop signs. It recognized that poor sign visibility and inadequate markings can cause crashes.

The city of Winston-Salem installed additional and larger stop signs, “Stop Ahead” advance traffic control signs, and clearly visible centerline markings and stop bars in various combinations at 16 intersections experiencing a high incidence of crashes, many with injuries.

Key Accomplishments

The Winston-Salem experience demonstrates that low-cost improvements can effectively improve safety and reduce traffic crashes and their resulting injuries and/or fatalities.

Results

The combinations of these enhanced countermeasures installed at the 16 Winston-Salem stop-controlled intersections cumulatively reduced total crashes by approximately 55 percent and total injuries by an average of 70 percent per year.

Contact

Stanley Polanis
Director of Transportation
City of Winston-Salem, NC
336-747-6867
stanp@cityofws.org