The change that authorized Children at Play signs to be taken down was done without much thought. Warning signs of any kind. (dangerous curve, hidden driveway, deer crossing, falling rock and many more are there to make up aware that we may have a rock hit your head or may kill a child chasing a ball into the street. They do make us think that there is a danger there and they do make us aware and they do save lives. Please change this authorization that takes away warning signs for our community.
Linda Shelton
Clarksville, TN 37042
There is a theory in traffic circles that signs are not effective. Some traffic engineers say this is due to too many of them and some are confusing. Studies have shown that people cannot recall most street signs they pass. An example of confusing sign would be “Falling Rock” signs. Should drivers be looking up for falling rock or straight ahead?
One traffic engineer has found (using hidden radar guns) placing children’s toys close on a curb causes more people to slow down than a Children at Play sign. Likewise, he found that Folks drive slower when they see a dead deer carcass, than when they see a deer crossing sign.
I am not adovcating taking down all signs (though some do.) But if they took the sign down, maybe you have an unused bicycle you could place overturned at the curb, which studies have shown to be more effective.
Find a copy of “Traffic” by Tom Vanderbilt for other suggestions. I wrote a book review on it a while back:
http://www.clarksvilleonline.com/2009/10/11/book-review-traffic-why-we-drive-the-way-we-do-and-what-it-says-about-us-by-tom-vanderbilt/