# Why are there so many stop signs on American roads? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [September 24, 2012, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-there-so-many-stop-signs-on-american-roads/635700 "2012-09-24T19:26:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Mdcastle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/958977/32.png) [@Mdcastle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mdcastle)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2012, 1:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-there-so-many-stop-signs-on-american-roads/635700/41 "2012-09-25T13:17:14Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > I’d say two things: > > 1. In non-city driving, American drivers go very fast and there are often inadequate sight lines. Stopping is necessary or no one would ever get across the intersection in the crossing direction. > > 2. “Yield” is uncommon-to-unheard of in these situations. Yield signs are used primarily to indicate who has the right of way when traffic going in the same direction is merging. In Minnesota both “Yield” and “Merge” signs are used at the entrances to freeway ramps. “Yield” means- “no merge area, prepare to stop if there is traffic”, “Merge” means “merge area available, accellerate to highway speed”. The MUTCD (Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices) is the final word on if something is allowable in the United States. As for yield signs: > [@](#): > > Section 2B.09 YIELD Sign Applications > Option: > YIELD signs may be used instead of STOP signs if engineering judgment indicates that one or more of the following conditions exist: > > \*When the ability to see all potentially conflicting traffic is sufficient to allow a road user traveling at the posted speed, the 85th-percentile speed, or the statutory speed to pass through the intersection or to stop in a reasonably safe manner. > \*If controlling a merge-type movement on the entering roadway where acceleration geometry and/or sight distance is not adequate for merging traffic operation. > \*The second crossroad of a divided highway, where the median width at the intersection is 9 m (30 ft) or greater. In this case, a STOP sign may be installed at the entrance to the first roadway of a divided highway, and a YIELD sign may be installed at the entrance to the second roadway. > \*An intersection where a special problem exists and where engineering judgment indicates the problem to be susceptible to correction by the use of the YIELD sign. Thus, states that use “Yield” signs instead of “Merge” at all interchange ramps are doing so incorrectly. ---
**Author:** ![Hbns](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8edcca/32.png) [@Hbns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hbns)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2012, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-there-so-many-stop-signs-on-american-roads/635700/42 "2012-09-25T15:05:02Z")
> [@Simple\_Linctus](#): > > That would support my awful drivers theory. Pretty solid theory in my opinion. I grew up in a small town with loads of uncontrolled intersections where “rule of the right” was supposed to be the determining factor for right of way. Yet it was rarely followed to the letter the way I experienced it in Germany. Now that I live in a larger city were nearly every intersection has stop signs I can only imagine the chaos that would ensue if they were removed. As most intersection interactions have devolved into the one who can kind of stop and then get going quickest gets the right of way. If traffic cameras were legal in my state there wouldn’t be any budget issues for years to come. ---
**Author:** ![Colophon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f05b48/32.png) [@Colophon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colophon)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2012, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-there-so-many-stop-signs-on-american-roads/635700/43 "2012-09-25T21:59:39Z")
> [@Simple\_Linctus](#): > > For reference, [here](https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=ely,+cambridgeshire&hl=en&ll=52.401964,0.2593&spn=0.001784,0.005107&sll=54.15771,-4.638484&sspn=0.006898,0.020428&t=h&hnear=Ely,+Cambridgeshire,+United+Kingdom&z=18&layer=c&cbll=52.401957,0.259126&panoid=4c73c-PhTuWvLT4rL1dbWg&cbp=12,257.94,,0,10.73) is the kind of place we use a stop sign. Note the very high hedges/walls on both sides. But equally, in the UK, there are plenty of junctions with visibility just as bad, or worse, that have Give Way signs ([random example](https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=Church+Lane,+Finchampstead&hl=en&ll=51.36486,-0.855445&spn=0.000929,0.002175&sll=52.401964,0.2593&sspn=0.003633,0.008701&oq=church+lane+fin&t=h&hnear=Church+Ln,+Finchampstead,+Wokingham+RG40,+United+Kingdom&z=19&layer=c&cbll=51.364937,-0.855584&panoid=6LVXEHApufiKYig5gXNh3g&cbp=12,122.9,,0,12.32)). In fact I can’t think of a junction with a Stop sign near where I live. Many junctions don’t even have Give Way signs, just the double dashed line at the junction, like [this](https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=Church+Lane,+Finchampstead&hl=en&ll=51.359053,-0.846677&spn=0.01498,0.034804&sll=52.401964,0.2593&sspn=0.003633,0.008701&oq=church+lane+fin&t=h&hnear=Church+Ln,+Finchampstead,+Wokingham+RG40,+United+Kingdom&z=15&layer=c&cbll=51.359125,-0.84665&panoid=grt7IjFznkC8NevbtMNBRg&cbp=12,181.11,,0,11.32). I think it just demonstrates different learned behaviour: it seems like in the US, drivers only expect to have to stop at a junction if there is a Stop sign there (and maybe not even then), whereas in the UK, you often have to come to a stop even at “Give Way” junctions, as our roads tend to be narrower and with worse visibility. ---
**Author:** ![put\_down\_the\_sabre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/da6949/32.png) [@put\_down\_the\_sabre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/put_down_the_sabre)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2012, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-there-so-many-stop-signs-on-american-roads/635700/44 "2012-09-25T23:46:23Z")
It’s not just stopsigns that infest the US, but traffic lights. Traffic lights are in some ways worse. There are loads of crossroads and T-junctions near me (central North Carolina) that in the UK would just have yield/give way signs, or maybe a mini-roundabout, which have traffic lights. Sitting at 2am at an empty road with perfect visibility in all directions, waiting at a red light, really strains the patience… In my experience (Briton living in the US), US traffic laws generally remove the element of individual judgement. Roundabouts and give way/yield lines/signs force drivers to judge whether it is safe to join a road, and how fast to do that. Americans seem to prefer stop signs and traffic lights, which make the decision for you. That said, in the US you are generally allowed to turn right at a red light, though the responsibility is on you. That seems quite sensible to me. pdts ---
**Author:** ![Seanette](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/seanette/32/9139_2.png) [@Seanette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seanette)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2012, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-there-so-many-stop-signs-on-american-roads/635700/45 "2012-09-25T23:55:56Z")
> [@Simple\_Linctus](#): > > (referring to US driver’s license testing) fail, I mean I actually failed my first behind-the-wheel test. By backing into a lamp post in the DMV parking lot. Did pass on the second try a week later, and in 20+ years of driving have only had two at-fault mishaps, one caused by a brake failure, the other whapping a support pole in a parking garage by turning too soon. ---
**Author:** ![put\_down\_the\_sabre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/da6949/32.png) [@put\_down\_the\_sabre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/put_down_the_sabre)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2012, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-there-so-many-stop-signs-on-american-roads/635700/46 "2012-09-26T00:17:59Z")
Having taken both the UK and North Carolina driving tests, the NC one was laughable. It mostly seemed to be a basic check that you could physically control a car, and stick to speed limits. ISTR that in the UK a few years ago the average man took 1.8 attempts, and the average woman 2.4 attempts to pass their test. I would be astonished if the NC one wasn’t much lower. ---
**Author:** ![Simple\_Linctus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Simple\_Linctus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Simple_Linctus)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2012, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-there-so-many-stop-signs-on-american-roads/635700/47 "2012-09-26T00:33:53Z")
The current UK stats for car tests (motorbike tests the passes are higher because less retards want to ride motorbikes) are that in 2011 men passed 50.3% of practical tests while women passed 43.9%. Note that before you can do the practical you have to do the theory test. In this, men passed 58% of tests while women passed 63% of tests. I would be interested if feminists will claim the difference between male and female performance in the different types of test is because of bias. ---
**Author:** ![Simple\_Linctus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Simple\_Linctus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Simple_Linctus)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2012, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-there-so-many-stop-signs-on-american-roads/635700/48 "2012-09-26T00:39:50Z")
Another stastic that made me chuckle: In the UK for anyone that isn’t aware, you have to pass your test in a manual transmission (defined as with a foot operated clutch) car otherwise you will only have automatic entitlement. If you look at the statistics for those who did the automatic test, 41% of men passed and 36% of women. But what makes me rofl: 17k of those taking it were men. 53k were women!!! This adds evidence to the idea that anyone who’s such a spanner they can’t use a stick shift shouldn’t be driving. And I think it proves once and for all that women are worse drivers. ---
**Author:** ![Ferret\_Herder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e47774/32.png) [@Ferret\_Herder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferret_Herder)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2012, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-there-so-many-stop-signs-on-american-roads/635700/49 "2012-09-26T01:05:42Z")
Since you’re in GQ (for now), perhaps you should provide some citations for your last posts. And I forgot - the “priority to the right” rule pertains in the US not just to 4-way stops, but also to uncontrolled intersections where two or more vehicles approach and yield at the same time. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2012, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-there-so-many-stop-signs-on-american-roads/635700/50 "2012-09-26T01:40:38Z")
> [@Simple\_Linctus](#): > > I would be interested if feminists will claim the difference between male and female performance in the different types of test is because of bias. [Moderator Note] **Simple Linctus** , political commentary of this kind is out of place in General Questions. Do not do this again. [QUOTE=Simple Linctus] The current UK stats for car tests (motorbike tests the passes are higher because less retards want to ride motorbikes) are that in 2011 men passed 50.3% of practical tests while women passed 43.9%. [/QUOTE] > [@](#): > > This adds evidence to the idea that anyone who’s such a spanner they can’t use a stick shift shouldn’t be driving. And I think it proves once and for all that women are worse drivers. We also don’t need comments about “retards” and other extraneous remarks of this kind. Colibri General Questions Moderator ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2012, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-there-so-many-stop-signs-on-american-roads/635700/51 "2012-09-26T01:41:20Z")
Since even the OP doesn’t care to keep this a GQ, moved to MPSIMS, for now. **samclem** , MOderator ---
**Author:** ![Simple\_Linctus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Simple\_Linctus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Simple_Linctus)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2012, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-there-so-many-stop-signs-on-american-roads/635700/52 "2012-09-26T15:21:48Z")
> [@Ferret\_Herder](#): > > Since you’re in GQ (for now), perhaps you should provide some citations for your last posts. > > And I forgot - the “priority to the right” rule pertains in the US not just to 4-way stops, but also to uncontrolled intersections where two or more vehicles approach and yield at the same time. Ciations avaliable from [http://www.dft.gov.uk/publications/dsa-operational-practical-driving-test-statistics/](http://www.dft.gov.uk/publications/dsa-operational-practical-driving-test-statistics/) and [http://www.dft.gov.uk/publications/dsa-operational-driving-theory-test-statistics/](http://www.dft.gov.uk/publications/dsa-operational-driving-theory-test-statistics/) There are also break downs avaliable by ethnic minority\*, don’t tell certain posters… ---
**Author:** ![suranyi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e36b37/32.png) [@suranyi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/suranyi)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2012, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-there-so-many-stop-signs-on-american-roads/635700/53 "2012-09-26T20:25:45Z")
> [@Simple\_Linctus](#): > > Another stastic that made me chuckle: In the UK for anyone that isn’t aware, you have to pass your test in a manual transmission (defined as with a foot operated clutch) car otherwise you will only have automatic entitlement. > > If you look at the statistics for those who did the automatic test, 41% of men passed and 36% of women. > > But what makes me rofl: 17k of those taking it were men. 53k were women!!! > > This adds evidence to the idea that anyone who’s such a spanner they can’t use a stick shift shouldn’t be driving. And I think it proves once and for all that women are worse drivers. There have been many threads on this before, but in general, in the US there’s no need to learn how to drive with a stick. The vast majority of cars are automatic. It’s rare that someone is put into a position where the only car available is a manual transmission. Certainly, rental agencies have hardly any manuals nowadays. So it’s fine to learn on a stick if it makes one happy, and if one likes driving for the pleasure of it, but it’s far from a necessity in this country. ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Feldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lord_feldon/32/341_2.png) [@Lord\_Feldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Feldon)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2012, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-there-so-many-stop-signs-on-american-roads/635700/54 "2012-09-26T20:37:34Z")
Even if you _wanted_ to learn to drive a stick, you might not have the easiest time finding one in the US. ---
**Author:** ![picunurse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7bcc69/32.png) [@picunurse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/picunurse)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2012, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-there-so-many-stop-signs-on-american-roads/635700/55 "2012-09-26T20:37:34Z")
It’s easy. There are so many stop signs because if we all drove only east or west we’d all drown. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-there-so-many-stop-signs-on-american-roads/635700.md?page=2)