Iowa County Engineers Association concerned about safety at rural intersections

(Photo courtesy of Crawford County)

The  Iowa County Engineers Association is publicizing its belief that Stops signs are not always the answer to stopping crashes at rural intersections
 
A number of serious traffic crashes have occurred recently at rural, uncontrolled intersections on lesser-traveled gravel roads in Iowa.  The County Engineers Association says, "On the surface, installing stop or yield signs at all rural intersections may seem to provide greater protection to the traveling public. However, a vast majority of drivers on lesser-traveled gravel roads are local drivers who travel these same roads at least once per week.  They know which intersections have stop signs, yield signs, or no signs. Over regulating traffic can result in drivers ignoring critical signage where it is essential, leading to the possibility of more crashes. Installing many non-essential signs can lead to a less safe system overall, providing a false sense of security with drivers not stopping or recognizing the potential for conflict at the intersection."   
 
An Iowa State University study in 2005 concluded that installing stop signs on lesser-traveled roads didn't improve safety.
 
Obstacles such as tall corn, buildings, trees and snow--especially this time of year--may obstruct a driver's vision, so the County Engineers Association is reminding drivers to yield the right-of-way and always be on the lookout for opposing traffic.