Van Houten, R., & Retting, R. A. (2001).
Increasing motorist compliance and caution at stop signs.
Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis,
34, 185-193.
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 that featured animated eyes
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 braking suddenly or swerving
from the path to avoid an intersection crash). The introduction
of the LED sign according to a multiple baseline across the three
intersections was associated with an increase in the percentage
of vehicles coming to a complete stop at all three intersections
and a small increase in the percentage of drivers looking right
before entering the intersections. Conflicts between vehicles on
the major and minor road were also reduced following the
introduction of the animated eyes prompt.
DESCRIPTORS: _technology, stop signs, safety, prompts,
transportation safety