FAQ's

Will Greene County install "Children at Play" signs on my street?

As a policy, Greene County will not install "Children at Play" signs for the following reasons:

• There is no evidence that the sign is effective in changing the driver's behavior to slow down or be more alert to the presence of children.
• The sign is not recognized as an official traffic control sign by the national, state, or local standards.
• The sign can promote a false sense of security to both children and parents.
• Every neighborhood has children, so an absence of the sign would incorrectly imply that children do not live in the area.

Can the posted speed limit on our street be reduced to slow down the speeding drivers?

It is a common myth that posting slower speed limit signs force drivers to slow down and will result in fewer traffic accidents. National research has shown that the prevailing traffic conditions and the type of street, not the posted speed limit, influence drivers.
 
Speed studies are conducted to help set speed limits. If an unreasonably low speed limit is posted, many drivers tend to ignore and violate the signs. There are some drivers who, on the other hand, always try to stay within the posted speed limit. This can cause conflict between faster and slower drivers, resulting in more accidents.
 
Traffic engineering studies help to determine the prevailing speed of most drivers using a certain street. Additionally, the studies take into account accident records and road conditions. An appropriate speed limit is then set based upon this data.

What is the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD)?

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) publishes the MUTCD, which contains all national design, application, and placement standards for traffic control devices. The purpose of these devices, which includes signs, signals, and pavement markings, is to promote highway safety, efficiency, and uniformity so that traffic can move efficiently on the Nation's streets and highways. For more information on the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD).

Will Greene County install a stop sign at an intersection to slow drivers down?

Under the right conditions, STOP signs can play an important role in traffic safety. However, STOP signs installed in the wrong place usually create more problems than they solve. Many requests are received for STOP signs to interrupt traffic or slow traffic down. However, studies across the nation show that there are a high number of intentional violations when STOP signs are installed as nuisances or speed breakers.
 
 STOP signs are installed at an intersection only after a careful engineering evaluation of the existing conditions indicates that their installation is appropriate. Four-way STOPS are only helpful when traffic volumes are high and close to equal on all approaches to an intersection, or if there are geometric deficiencies creating sight distance problems.