The Traffic Improvement Association (TIA) is a non-profit traffic
safety organization in Oakland County, Michigan. TIA was organized
in 1967 by community leaders to address adverse traffic safety
issues facing Oakland County. Below are some fact sheets made
available by TIA to aid in understanding various traffic safety
issues. To
learn more about the Traffic Improvement Association, please visit
their website.
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Flashing Yellow Arrow Left Turn SignalsA new style of
left-turn signal is being seen on roads throughout the state of
Michigan. The new style signal is known as
"flashing-yellow-arrow left-turn signal” (FYA left-turn signal),
and offers a safer, more efficient way to handle traffic turning
left at busy intersections... |
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Won't a "Children at Play" Sign Help Protect Our Kids?
At first consideration, it might seem that this sign would
provide protection for youngsters playing in a neighborhood. It
doesn’t. Studies conducted in cities where such signs were
widely posted in residential areas show no evidence of having
reduced pedestrian crashes, vehicles’ speeds or legal
liability...
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To Install or Not To Install; That is the Question
Efforts to achieve an acceptable balance between good practice
and good politics in government is a universal problem. Elected
officials’ challenge in weighing acceptable practice against
politics most often surfaces in requests for traffic signs and
signals. There are few issues that more frequently divide
traffic authorities and elected public officials. The
installation of a “political” sign or signal, one which does not
meet established warrants, may satisfy a small group, but the
problems created in non-compliance, risk, liability and in the
public’s loss of respect for the traffic engineering process are
significant and lasting...
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Mailboxes: A
Safety Concern? Mailbox installation may seem simple,
but residents need to think about safety before they install a
new mailbox. Mailboxes that are set firmly into the ground,
and/or have large posts, can become a fixed object hazard.
Mailboxes that are not fixed properly to their support can break
loose and become dangerous projectiles, endangering motorists
and residents...
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Why Not Lower the Speed Limit to Reduce Traffic Crashes in Our
Area? Speed limits should be set so that the majority
of drivers observe them voluntarily and law enforcement can be
directed to the few speed violators. An unrealistically low
speed limit can actually lead to crashes. Here’s why...
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Some
Communities Use Speed Bumps. Why Can't We? A
speed bump is a bump of asphalt about a foot wide, 3 to 4 inches
high, and placed laterally across the traveled portion of the
road. The speed bump poses an increased hazard to the unwary….A
challenge to the daredevil….A disruption of the movement of
emergency vehicles…. The cause of an undesirable increase in
noise….And a real problem for snow removal...
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How Do Officials Establish Our Speed Limits? Hundreds
of studies conducted over several decades in all parts of the
country clearly show that a large majority of drivers tend to
operate their vehicles at speeds that are reasonable and proper,
regardless of the posted speeds. This is the first, most
critical factor in establishing realistic speed limits. Posted
speed limits that are set higher or lower than dictated by
roadway and traffic conditions are ignored by most motorists...
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Maybe a Stop Sign Will Slow Traffic On Our Street? Stop
signs installed in the wrong places for the wrong purposes
usually create more problems than they solve. One common misuse
of Stop signs is to arbitrarily interrupt traffic, either by
causing it to stop or by causing such an inconvenience that
motorists are forced to use other routes. Studies conducted in
many parts of the country show that there is a high incidence of
intentional violations where Stop signs are installed as
“nuisances” or “speed breakers”...
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A Traffic Signal Will Reduce Crashes at Our Intersection, Right?
Traffic signals don’t always reduce crashes. In many
instances, the total number of crashes remains unchanged after
signals are installed. However the severity of right angle
crashes is exchanged for less injury producing rear end
crashes... |
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Walk... Or Don't Walk? Those Signs Are So Confusing!
The operation of pedestrian signals (WALK and DON’T WALK) are
often misunderstood. They are installed at signalized
intersections to indicate to pedestrians when they should, or
should not, walk across the street. The pedestrian indications
can either be in text or symbol format. Pedestrian signals,
similar to the three phases of vehicle signals (green, amber and
red) also have three phases...
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What Are Warrants For Traffic Control Devices? A
Warrant for any traffic control device (sign, signal or pavement
marking) is the minimum criteria that must be met before such a
device can be installed. Meeting a warrant does not mean a
traffic control device must be installed. The Michigan Manual of
Uniform Traffic Control Devices spells out these warrants to
ensure that each device... |
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Can I
Put Rocks Across My Lawn to Keep Cars Off My Grass?
Sometimes residents place rocks along the roadway in front of
their homes to keep vehicles off their lawns. This is done
primarily on residential streets that don’t have curbs. These
rocks can be real safety hazards. If a vehicle leaves the
roadway, rocks won’t stop these out-of-control vehicles, just
damage them and possibly injure the occupants. A rock could be
hit by a vehicle and become an uncontrollable missile, possibly
injuring residents. Pedestrians, including children, can trip on
rocks and possibly fall into the street... |
