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BOOK -16.01 PAGE 013 <br />In response to Chairman Eggert's questions on the use of stop <br />signs and speed bumps, Director Davis referred to an article by the <br />Florida section of the Institute of Traffic Engineering, entitled <br />"The Harm of Installing Unwarranted Traffic Control Devices". <br />Studies have shown an increase in accidents and an increase in the <br />speed between the stop signs where stop signs are placed, but not <br />warranted. <br />Commissioner Macht pointed out that 48th Court has a blind <br />entrance and wondered if a safety reason could be cited for use of <br />a stop sign at that intersection. <br />Director Davis responded that when there is a visual <br />obstruction at an intersection, they first try clearing the <br />underbrush. If an accident history has developed at an <br />intersection, that would perhaps warrant using a stop sign, but <br />they had not found an history of accidents developing at that <br />location. <br />Chairman Eggert was concerned about putting in a stop sign for <br />safety that DOT does not particularly like. <br />Director Davis stressed that the article to which he referred <br />shows that stop signs increase the frequency of rear end <br />collisions, and most accidents happen because people violate a stop <br />sign. He emphasized that the- greatest number of accidents occur at <br />signalized or stop sign intersections. <br />County Attorney Vitunac explained that it is not illegal to <br />put a stop sign at an intersection, but what Director Davis was <br />saying is that it is not warranted by the traffic professionals. <br />While it may not be considered safe or smart by certain standards, <br />it is still within the power of the Board to put stop signs or <br />speed bumps wherever it desires. Chapter 316 of the Florida <br />Statutes gives the County Commission wide authority to do so. <br />Commissioner Adams was concerned about the County's liability, <br />and County Attorney Vitunac replied that as long as the sign <br />conforms to the size and location and color of the DOT manual, he <br />thought the Board would be immune from liability as to the decision <br />to put a sign up. He recounted a past experience with the City of <br />Vero Beach in 1982, concerning the sign at Club Drive. <br />Installation of a stop sign provided a successful result. <br />Director Davis cautioned that if the Board uses this train of <br />thought throughout the county, there will be a proliferation of <br />unwarranted stop signs, and the safety of the collector and <br />arterial network will be degraded. <br />26 <br />April 8, 1997 <br />