The purpose of this study was to systematically investigate the relationship between signs located proximally to sixty randomly selected urban traffic intersections and traffic accidents at those intersections. Specific sign dimensions studied were: total number, type (public versus commercial), size, and color. The dependent variable was at-fault accidents during the 1975 calendar year. Results indicated that larger sized commercial signs were significantly related to accidents at stop sign controlled intersections. No relationship was found between signs and accidents at traffic signal controlled intersections. Possible interpretations for the findings are considered, and some practical suggestions for reducing the effects of distracting signs at stop sign intersections are advanced. /Author/.
Abstract