Tips for Brighter Stop Signs and U Channel Sign Posts

Six Tips for Better Stop Signs

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1. Brighter is Better

Problem

The chance of a traffic fatality is 3-4x greater at night. Even though only 25% of the driving occurs at night, almost 50% of the traffic fatalities occur at this time. The FHWA also reports in their Safety Facts that that nigh crashes result in a higher number of injuries and more property damage than daytime accidents.

Solution

High Intensity and Diamond Grade stop signs greatly increase safety. They are brighter longer. And, when you purchase them from us, you will find that they are available at a price that most others sell engineer grade stop signs. It is easy to see why our High Intensity Stop Signs have become the leader in the market. For even more critical applications, use our Diamond Grade stop signs. Made from 3M's premium films, both are mounted onto 80 mil aluminum.

Data

Supplemental notice of proposed amendments to MUTCD, May, 2006.

City of Sioux City, Iowa upgraded from engineer grade to high intensity and diamond grade signs. The upgrade cost was $150,000, yet the estimated savings were almost $5 million. This represented benefit-to-cost ratio of 34:1.

Putnam County, NY upgraded from engineer grade to high intensity and diamond grade signs. Daytime crashes were reduced by 26% and crashes at night were reduced by 50%.

Aging Population Needs Brighter Signs

At 59, you need eight times more light to see at night than you did when you were 20. At 72, you need 16x more light. About 20 percent of American drivers are now over 65. Older drivers are the fastest growing segment of the driving public. As we get older, sign letters tend to blur together at night. The contrast between the letters and the background becomes less apparent. This effect, called "halation" can be diminished, in part, with larger and/or brighter signs.