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Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis logoLink to Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis
. 2001 Summer;34(2):185–193. doi: 10.1901/jaba.2001.34-185

Increasing motorist compliance and caution at stop signs.

R Van Houten 1, R A Retting 1
PMCID: PMC1284311  PMID: 11421311

Abstract

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.

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Selected References

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  1. Retting R. A., Williams A. F., Preusser D. F., Weinstein H. B. Classifying urban crashes for countermeasure development. Accid Anal Prev. 1995 Jun;27(3):283–294. doi: 10.1016/0001-4575(94)00068-w. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

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