No to traffic signs?

[McSwain, Norman E Jr.]

It sound like a wonderful thing for the lawyers. "your honor, the reason that my client did not stop for the red-light and hit Mr. Jones broad side in the intersection and killed him,  had nothing to do with his blood alcohol of 300. It was because all the traffic signs by the road distracted him." :>)
 
Norman
 
Norman McSwain MD
Trauma Director, Charity Hospital
Professor of Surgery, Tulane University
New Orleans LA
504 988 5111
norman.mcswain at tulane.edu <mailto:norman.mcswain at tulane.edu> 

________________________________

From: trauma-list-bounces at trauma.org on behalf of khumar huseynova
Sent: Sat 7/5/2008 1:23 PM
To: Trauma Trauma
Subject: No to traffic signs?



Just read an article in Toronto Star about John Staddon's talk on cutting down on the number of traffic signs placed in roads, at intersections etc. Apparently removing the signs, esp from busy intersections, forces dirvers to focus more on the road than on the signs. The rationale is the expectation from the drivers, i.e., expecting them to be more responsible than stupid (sic), and making right decisions instead of being distracted by the signs that tell them what to do. Apparently, this is being practiced in Europe (England for ex.), and it's led to reduction of traffic accidents by 40%.
Obviously, there are many other factors in this equation that might have led to fewer accidents. I am not familiar with the studies in this field and was wondering if anyone knew. What does the evidence suggest? Anyone in trauma has looked at this particular issue (i.e., association bw traffic signals and MVAs) recently and compared Europe to NAmerica? Apparently this is also practiced in Fl. Would appreciate yoru thoguhts.
P.S. John Staddon is a psychologist at DukeU. 


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