The
Jefferson Police Department announced plans Friday to purchase 6,400 new
stop signs for immediate use in and around the city of Jefferson. A
police department spokesman stated that one of their main goals this
year was to make the streets of Jefferson safer for their children, and
the new stop signs would go a long way toward achieving that aim. Most
residents can be expected to find many new places to stop beginning as
early as May 1."New guidelines are being introduced in regard to stop sign placement," stated our source. "For example, a stop sign will now be required at any intersection where an accident has occurred in the last 100 months. Also any intersection used by commercial vehicles, farm vehicles, vehicles with excessive horsepower, vehicles driven by minors, or at intersections where children have been seen." He went on, "Any place where a family with children under ten lives will now require a stop sign at the end of their driveway as well as at the nearest two adjoining intersections."
There are other places where stop signs will now be placed, as well. Stop signs will be placed at intersections between gravel roads, if agricultural and family vehicles both use them. All intersections currently protected by stop signs will be upgraded to four-way stop signs. In many places, stop sign usage will not be limited to intersections, either. Drivers may find stop signs in the middle of blocks, as well, if children have been seen in the area.
Our research department has compiled statistics comparing the number of stop signs currently in use (before the new initiative) in Jefferson as compared to other communities of interest. For example, there are currently 1,116 stop signs in and around Jefferson, a community of about 4,000. That is roughly one stop sign for every four people. Winterset, with a similar population, has 197 stop signs. Carroll, population 10,000+, has 335 stop signs. Bayard has absolutely no stop signs at all. For a complete list, contact our city desk at rbland@jeffersoniowanews.com.
Spencer Straight, 04-20-20011