Driver behaviour at stop signs : TARU 4/77

In August, 1974, the definition of the STOP sign in New South Wales was changed to correspond with accepted international practice. Driver behaviour was observed at ten open, free-flowing, orthogonal intersections posted with STOP signs and at two similar intersections posted with GIVE-WAY signs. Observations were carried out once before and twice after the date of the change. The behaviour of the drivers approaching the signs was recorded in relation to that of the other drivers with whom they interacted. The proportion of drivers who actually stopped at the STOP signs initially increased and then fell below the original level. The final proportion was similar to that observed at the GIVE-WAY signs which were not affected by the change in regulations. The proportion of drivers who yielded as required at STOP signs showed little initial change, but subsequ_ntly increased. A similar pattern was observed at GIVE-WAY signs and in the final survey the porportions were approximately equal. The marked similarity in driver behaviour between the two sign types might suggest the need for a re-evaluation of the placing of STOP signs.

1974年8月，澳大利亚新南威尔士州（New South Wales）对停车让行标志（STOP sign）的定义进行了修订，以契合公认的国际通行惯例。本研究在10个设置有停车让行标志的开放式、自由流正交交叉口，以及2个设置有让路标志（GIVE-WAY sign）的同类交叉口开展了驾驶员行为观测。观测工作共分为三轮：在法规修改前开展1次，修改后开展2次。研究记录了驾驶员趋近交通标志时的行为，及其与其他互动驾驶员的行为关联。结果显示，最初在停车让行标志前完全停车的驾驶员占比有所上升，随后又回落至初始水平以下；最终的占比与未受法规修订影响的让路标志处的观测占比相近。在停车让行标志前按要求让行的驾驶员占比，初始阶段变化幅度较小，但随后显著提升。让路标志处也观测到了类似的行为趋势，在最后一次调查中，两类标志对应的让行占比大致相等。两类标志对应的驾驶员行为表现出显著相似性，这或表明有必要重新评估停车让行标志的设置合理性。