Watch & Learn: Can Removing Traffic Signs Increase Safety?

Readers, watch out! You might think I'm a little crazy here but at least check out the video. I've been having more and more issues with road signs lately. I think it has to do with my belief that our roads are oversigned. You could spend more time reading the signs on the sides of our roads in some places than you actually spend paying attention to the road you are driving on.

No, you might think this is a safety issue but I'm not sure that it is. There have been numerous studies showing that removing signs altogether may actually increase safety due to drivers becoming more aware of their surroundings. Here's a link.

Now check out the video and see a 'shared space' in action.

Now, do I think we could get away with something like this in Roswell? I'm not sure but I think there may be some areas where it could work like the southern end of Canton Street and the new Round About at Norcross St and Grimes Bridge. I'll leave you with this example of over signing.

Comments

[Kim]

We were in Duluth a couple weekends ago and on foot on Main crossing West Lawrenceville Road going toward the new City Hall. Never having been there, I did not realize that the traffic to my left did not stop. It makes perfect sense that they don't stop due to railroad tracks but it was dangerous for the uninitiated pedestrian.

Worse yet, when looking to the left, all I saw was a the back of a traffic sign. There was no way to see the oncoming traffic without either leaning forward into the street or crouching down at toddler level. There was a certain irony though given that they are trying to be a walking community. Now there is a case where they need a sign for *pedestrians* to warn of impending danger! :-)