Traffic control at stop sign approaches.

Agent, Kenneth R. · 2003 · ROSA P / University of Kentucky Transportation Center

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Summary

This study investigates traffic crashes in Kentucky caused by drivers disregarding stop signs, aiming to quantify their frequency, characterize their nature, and identify high-risk locations to inform safety recommendations. The research was motivated by the potential for severe right-angle collisions resulting from such violations. The primary objectives were to determine the number and location of these crashes across the state, analyze their specific characteristics compared to general traffic crashes, inspect intersections with high crash rates, and propose measures to reduce the likelihood of drivers ignoring stop controls. The methodology involved a comprehensive analysis of Kentucky’s reported crash database for the five-year period from 1998 to 2002. Researchers identified crashes where a stop sign was the traffic control device and "disregarding the traffic control" was listed as a contributing factor. The study compared these specific crashes against all traffic crashes to identify distinct patterns. Additionally, intersections with three or more such crashes between 2000 and 2002 were identified, and site visits were conducted at most of these locations, including a detailed analysis of Daviess County, which was selected as a trial county due to its high crash volume and percentage. The study also reviewed literature on stop sign compliance and examined Board of Claims cases related to traffic control issues. The results indicated that crashes involving disregard of stop signs constituted approximately 0.70% of all crashes on public roads but 1.46% of fatal crashes. These incidents were more severe, with 46% involving injuries compared to 30% for all crashes. They were less likely to involve single vehicles or occur on rural roads, with a higher prevalence in residential areas. Analysis of high-crash intersections revealed common factors such as drivers failing to see the sign due to obstructions like trees or parked cars, misinterpreting two-way stops as four-way stops, or unfamiliarity with the intersection. Specific sites, such as those in Daviess County, often lacked stop bars or had signs placed outside typical viewing angles. The study noted that violation rates generally decreased with higher major-roadway volumes. The significance of this research lies in its data-driven recommendations for enhancing stop sign visibility and compliance. The findings suggest that additional traffic control measures, such as stop ahead signs, transverse rumble strips, intersection beacons, and properly positioned stop bars, can mitigate crash risks. The study highlights that operational effectiveness can be improved by tailoring control devices to roadway volumes and addressing specific site deficiencies, such as sign obstruction or inadequate signage for non-local drivers. These insights provide a framework for transportation agencies to prioritize interventions at high-risk intersections to reduce severe angle collisions.

Key finding

Crashes involving drivers disregarding stop signs accounted for 0.70 percent of all traffic crashes but 1.46 percent of fatal crashes in Kentucky between 1998 and 2002.

Methodology

dataset

Provenance

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Summary generated by qwen3.6-27b-prismaquant on 2026-06-10; verification: verified.

Topics

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