Stop with the stop signs; go with more yields (letter)

London Community News

Dear editor I was very interested in Phil McLeod’s article in the May 24 issue of the London Community News regarding four way stops and traffic speeding. Every time I go-stop-and-go through our neighbourhood (Old South) four-way stops I wish that the city was more yield-sign friendly. Most of these stops would work very well one would hope, if the more used road was not regulated and traffic on the lesser ones yielded to its traffic.  A roundabout or circle would be infinitely better.  I wonder if you have seen the tiny centres at residential intersections in Vancouver? It’s such a good idea. With no stopping, one can drive around comfortably and be away. I realize that rush hour has to be taken into account, but traffic lights are usually close enough to leave a gap to allow “yield” drivers time to access the road ahead. During visits to Europe, and Great Britain in particular, I found driving to be far more pleasurable  (away from their frenetic highways) with stop signs a rarity. “Yield” gives drivers a good feeling of personal decision and responsibility whereas the command to “stop” for an empty road gives me, so I presume many others, a small knot of frustration. Perhaps it is a series of these that lead to road rage in some individuals?

Kathy Rutherford, London