Many people believe that installing stop signs on all approaches to an intersection will result in fewer crashes. This is not always the case, however. Although the crash severity may be lessened, drivers are penalized by the additional delay and higher vehicle operating costs ( fuel, brakes, etc). There is no real evidence to indicate that STOP signs decrease the speed of traffic. Impatient drivers view the additional delay caused by unwarranted STOP signs as "lost time" to be made up by driving at higher speeds between STOP signs. Unwarranted STOP signs breed disrespect by motorists who tend to ignore them or slow down without stopping. This can sometimes lead to tragic consequences.

     State Law requires the installation of all traffic control devices, including STOP signs to meet State standards adopted by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT). Florida Statues, Section 306.0745, state: "The Department of Transportation shall adopt a uniform system of traffic control devices for use on the streets and highways of the State." The statues also state: "All official traffic control signals or official traffic control devices purchased and installed in this State by any public body or official shall conform with the manual and specifications published by the Department of Transportation…."

     The Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) published by the U.S. Department of Transportation is the national standard for Traffic Control Devices. The FDOT has adopted the MUTCD as the State Standard.

     The installation of a multi-way stop condition must first meet the warrants as set forth in the MUTCD. Any of the following conditions may warrant a STOP sign installation (sec. 2B-5)

1. Where traffic signals are warranted and urgently needed, the multi-way STOP is an interim measure that can be installed quickly to control traffic while arrangements are being made for the signal installation.
2. A crash problem, as indicated by five or more reported crashes of a type susceptible to correction by a multi-way stop installation in a 12-month period. Such crashes include right and left-turn collisions as well as right-angle collisions.
3. Minimum traffic volumes:

• The total vehicular volume entering the intersection from all approaches must average at least 500 vehicles per hour for any 8 hours of an average day, and
• The combined vehicular and pedestrian volume from the minor street or highway must average at least 200 units per hour for the same 8 hours, with an average delay to minor street vehicular traffic of at least 30 seconds per vehicle during the maximum hour, but
• When the 85-percentile approach speed of the major street traffic exceeds 40 mph, the minimum vehicular volume warrant is 70 percent of the above requirements.

Stop signs should not be viewed as a cure-all for solving all safety problems.  But, when properly located, can be useful traffic control devices to enhance safety for all roadway users.