Intersection control by stop and give way signs--the conclusions of polus

Polus (1985) after studying accidents and gap acceptance data concluded that replacing give way (yield) signs with stop signs tended to increase vehicle accidents and reduce pedestrian accidents. This paper expresses the authors' reservations about these conclusions, makes suggestions for further study and quotes the results of a study of a sample of New Zealand urban intersections where give way signs have been replaced with stop signs. The results though not statistically significant estimate a favourable effect on accident rates and indicate that any important advantage from give way signs is unlikely.