Lighted stop signs warn drivers

Article from commercial-news.com - Jennifer Bailey - Commercial-News - October 3, 2011

DANVILLE — There were 10 accidents last year at the intersection of Vermilion and Seminary streets by the Danville Public Library.

Two resulted in injuries and northbound motorists caused nine of those accidents.

As a result, city officials installed a flashing stop sign at the all-way stop intersection to serve as a warning for motorists.

City Engineer David Schnelle said city officials promised they would continue to monitor the intersections in the downtown area after the traffic control changes occurred three years ago.

“In reviewing accident reports for this intersection, we found that in the last year 90 percent of the accidents were caused by a northbound motorist disregarding the stop sign,” he said through an e-mail.

“Because the intersection is an all-way stop, the severity of the accidents overall is lower than if it were a signalized intersection,” he added.

“To help northbound motorists see the stop sign, we wanted to install either a flashing light or these stop signs,” he said. “We replaced a flashing light at Buchanan (at Perrysville Avenue) with these and like the fact that they are solar powered and require no power source and, of course, no power bill.”

Schnelle said even though southbound traffic does not seem to be an issue, the city installed one on that leg for symmetry.

“We will also be activating a flashing stop ahead sign for northbound traffic. It is already in place and should be operational (this) week,” he added.

Public Safety Director Larry Thomason said the flashing stop signs attract motorists’ attention day and night.

The solar panels store enough energy to allow them to flash 24 hours.

“Those are a great addition for a warning signal,” Thomason said.

The flashing lights can be seen from a far distance, he said.

“They’re quite brilliant,” he said.