Stop and Give Way signs are the most commonly used traffic control devices. They have been widely used at intersections throughout Victoria to override the give-way-to-the right rule for the last fifteen years. However, over this period a tendency has developed amongst engineers to install Stop signs in preference to Give Way signs, regardless of site conditions, because of an inherent belief that using Stop signs results in greater safety than using Give Way signs. The resulting intersection control system has encouraged disobedience amongst motorists who see little reason to stop at most Stop signs. The disturbingly poor compliance with Stop signs has implications for critical intersections (where stopping is vital for safety) and for motorists' attitudes to traffic control devices in general. In 1988 and 1989 the Roads Corporation's predecessor organisations (the Road Traffic Authority and Road Construction Authority) and the Local Government Engineers Association, with support from the Victoria Police, Australian Road Research Board and Royal Automobile Club of Victoria reviewed current guidelines, warrants, and practices for the installation of Give Way and Stop signs. A new set of guidelines based principally on revised sight distances has been developed for use in Victoria. Implementation of these should result in a reduction of approximately 16,000 Stop signs and lead to greater driver respect for the remaining Stop signs. The background to the new guidelines is detailed in this paper. At the same time, a review has been undertaken of the need to use control signs at T-junctions following introduction of the T-junction rule in 1981. Guidelines have been established which will halve the number of sign controlled T-junctions. Savings to State and Local Government through this change alone are expected to exceed one hundred thousand dollars per annum (A).
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