Increasing motorist compliance and caution at stop signs

This study evaluated strategies to improve motorist compliance and caution at three stop-sign-controlled intersections with a history of motor vehicle crashes. The primary intervention was a light-emitting diode (LED) sign th at featured animated eves scanning left and right to prompt drivers to look left and right for approaching traffic. Data were scored from videotape on the percentage of drivers coming to a complete stop and the percentage of drivers looking right before entering the intersection. Observational data were collected on the percentage of right-angle conflicts (defined as braki ng suddenly or swerving from the path to avoid an intersection crash). The introduction of the LED sign according to a multiple baseline across the th ree intersections was associated with an increase in the percentage of vehi cles coming to a complete stop at all three intersections and a small incre ase in the percentage of drivers looking right before entering the intersec tions. Conflicts between vehicles on the major and minor road were also red uced following the introduction of the animated eyes prompt.