AARoads Forum

National Boards => General Highway Talk => Traffic Control => Topic started by: Kniwt on December 30, 2018, 08:52:50 PM

Title: Big death signs
Post by: Kniwt on December 30, 2018, 08:52:50 PM
I saw this sign on FL 997 today (as of today, the number is 3), and it got me to wondering what other so-called "blood alleys" have traditional signs (not digital signs) that give a rolling count of dead people? I seem to remember some in the Midwest back in the day, particularly along the bad parts of US 20. But are they still a thing?

And, somewhat tangentially, is three deaths a year on a 40-mile stretch of road enough to warrant the big yellow signs? The northern half of FL 997 has been upgraded to four-lane expressway and is now really, really nice, even though it has an insanely low 55mph limit. The southern half is still a nasty mess; in fact, I happened upon a four-vehicle rear-end collision that forced everyone to detour through a gas station parking lot.

(https://i.imgur.com/7vXjaX5.png)
Title: Re: Big death signs
Post by: ErmineNotyours on December 30, 2018, 09:09:19 PM
The only sign I know is digital, counting up the days since the last serious accident.  It's eastbound on US 2 outside of Snohomish, Washington.  Street View just misses it.  You can see the back of the sign, and then they drop to older images.  You can see it in this photo (http://srimages.wsdot.wa.gov/StateRoute/PictureLog/2017/NW/002/M/M/I/01/M/01012M.JPG) from SR Web.
Title: Re: Big death signs
Post by: ipeters61 on December 31, 2018, 12:48:58 PM
Delaware tends to have them near the state police troops.  I track the fatalities along with other agencies within the state so I do make note of them.  However, we don't have any specific to any corridors that I'm aware of, but we're a very small state.

Headquarters (Dover): https://www.google.com/maps/@39.1930891,-75.5458007,3a,23.4y,345.99h,84.95t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sBwnKzNwfPpG3UddZ5xn7dA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

Troop 2 (Glasgow): https://www.google.com/maps/@39.6068522,-75.7295941,3a,15.1y,129.43h,87.27t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sqIP5u2udKp7F8xQv8FVmxw!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

Troop 6 (Marshallton): https://www.google.com/maps/@39.7370049,-75.6271773,3a,15.1y,332.4h,89.65t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sizlxoUARsSpWs3lgBUKhKA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

There's also this fire deaths sign on DE-896 between Newark and Glasgow: https://www.google.com/maps/@39.6307109,-75.7438623,3a,15y,214.32h,87.98t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1ss2tRc66Od6di9CGWX7nMwg!2e0!6s%2F%2Fgeo1.ggpht.com%2Fcbk%3Fpanoid%3Ds2tRc66Od6di9CGWX7nMwg%26output%3Dthumbnail%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26thumb%3D2%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D274.74603%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i13312!8i6656
Title: Re: Big death signs
Post by: Max Rockatansky on December 31, 2018, 12:59:54 PM
Southern Florida has a lot of the "kill counter" signs on what has been deemed to be dangerous highways.  Generally they tend to be the two-lane variants like FL 997 and US 1 in the Keys:

(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4170/34726031906_4e99545d28_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/UUBZs3)997FLe (https://flic.kr/p/UUBZs3) by Max Rockatansky (https://www.flickr.com/photos/151828809@N08/), on Flickr

I watched the US 1 Kill Counter get up to 18 one year when I lived in Key West.  I have my photo somewhere but I can't seem to find it at the moment.
Title: Re: Big death signs
Post by: MikieTimT on December 31, 2018, 01:55:19 PM
Arkansas used to have one on US71 north of Alma and south of Fayetteville before I-540/49 was completed on that segment, but don't have it anymore since it's merely a scenic route now that the truck and Arkansas/Texas weekend college student traffic have moved off it.  That road was definitely functionally obsolete long before the interstate went in, but it's a fun drive now without all the through traffic burden.  As long as they can keep a couple of sections from sliding off the mountain.
Title: Re: Big death signs
Post by: kphoger on December 31, 2018, 02:26:31 PM
Quote from: Kniwt on December 30, 2018, 08:52:50 PM
is three deaths a year on a 40-mile stretch of road enough to warrant the big yellow signs?

I'd say it definitely depends on the AADT of the road in question.  The length of highway doesn't really matter;  AADT is the "population size".
Title: Re: Big death signs
Post by: US71 on December 31, 2018, 03:06:16 PM
Arkansas used to have those along US 71.

X number of deaths in the last three years.
Don't you be next.

They were removed when I-540 (now 49) was opened.
Title: Re: Big death signs
Post by: Kniwt on December 31, 2018, 04:04:09 PM
Quote from: ipeters61 on December 31, 2018, 12:48:58 PM
Headquarters (Dover): https://www.google.com/maps/@39.1930891,-75.5458007,3a,23.4y,345.99h,84.95t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sBwnKzNwfPpG3UddZ5xn7dA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

Interesting that they use "seatbelts used" instead of "seatbelts not used." One would think they'd want to stress the importance of using seatbelts, not that using them will get you killed anyway. :)
Title: Re: Big death signs
Post by: Roadgeekteen on December 31, 2018, 04:19:48 PM
Quote from: Kniwt on December 30, 2018, 08:52:50 PM
I saw this sign on FL 997 today (as of today, the number is 3), and it got me to wondering what other so-called "blood alleys" have traditional signs (not digital signs) that give a rolling count of dead people? I seem to remember some in the Midwest back in the day, particularly along the bad parts of US 20. But are they still a thing?

And, somewhat tangentially, is three deaths a year on a 40-mile stretch of road enough to warrant the big yellow signs? The northern half of FL 997 has been upgraded to four-lane expressway and is now really, really nice, even though it has an insanely low 55mph limit. The southern half is still a nasty mess; in fact, I happened upon a four-vehicle rear-end collision that forced everyone to detour through a gas station parking lot.

(https://i.imgur.com/7vXjaX5.png)
I've seen things like that on bike trails, but I have never seen the number above 0.
Title: Re: Big death signs
Post by: wanderer2575 on December 31, 2018, 07:55:14 PM
I don't have a photo, but Michigan posts on freeway VMSs at least once a month the year-to-date statewide roadway death count along with a comparison (over or under) to last year's death count as of the same date.
Title: Re: Big death signs
Post by: riiga on January 01, 2019, 10:00:19 AM
No counters here, the closest we have are signs like these saying

E4 through Södermanland [county]
accident-prone road
Drive carefully!

(https://i.imgur.com/YZNAfQb.png)
Title: Re: Big death signs
Post by: ipeters61 on January 01, 2019, 10:39:45 AM
Quote from: Kniwt on December 31, 2018, 04:04:09 PM
Quote from: ipeters61 on December 31, 2018, 12:48:58 PM
Headquarters (Dover): https://www.google.com/maps/@39.1930891,-75.5458007,3a,23.4y,345.99h,84.95t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sBwnKzNwfPpG3UddZ5xn7dA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

Interesting that they use "seatbelts used" instead of "seatbelts not used." One would think they'd want to stress the importance of using seatbelts, not that using them will get you killed anyway. :)
You know, I had a different perspective on that actually.  Pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorcyclists can't use seat belts to protect themselves on the road!  We have a sign in the building where I work and I think of that every day.
Title: Re: Big death signs
Post by: formulanone on January 01, 2019, 11:05:37 AM
Although long since removed, the "STOP DEATH" rail road crossing in Grenada, Mississippi needs to be posted:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mdah.ms.gov%2Fsenseofplace%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2014%2F06%2FStop-Death-Stop-railroad-crossing-in-Grenada-from-unprocessed-collection-of-Sidney-T.-Roebuck-Highway-Commissioner-of-the-Central-District-MDAH-600x485.jpg&hash=f747fa38967ec19c7b2fe8511474ef35b0cf76bc)

(From the Mississippi State Archives (http://www.mdah.ms.gov/senseofplace/2014/07/02/railroad-crossing-signal-photograph/).)
Title: Re: Big death signs
Post by: Truvelo on January 01, 2019, 11:35:42 AM
Some counties in England have signs showing the number of deaths compared to the same period the previous year. 2016 was obviously a bad year.

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.speedcam.uk%2Fd70%2Froaddeath.jpg&hash=56107652cf67b4ff7b3b92ff107141c273ed0c19)
Title: Re: Big death signs
Post by: kphoger on January 01, 2019, 04:00:35 PM
They must have built some new crash-prone roundabouts.
Title: Re: Big death signs
Post by: Roadgeekteen on January 01, 2019, 04:29:29 PM
Quote from: kphoger on January 01, 2019, 04:00:35 PM
They must have built some new crash-prone roundabouts.
How did that thread last so long?
Title: Re: Big death signs
Post by: kphoger on January 01, 2019, 04:38:05 PM
Quote from: Roadgeekteen on January 01, 2019, 04:29:29 PM
did

It's still open.
Title: Re: Big death signs
Post by: 1995hoo on January 01, 2019, 05:39:59 PM
This past weekend, the VMS units on I-95 in Georgia were displaying this year's overall fatality count and the motorcycle-specific count, alternating with an admonition to drive safely.
Title: Re: Big death signs
Post by: nexus73 on January 01, 2019, 07:26:54 PM
Quote from: formulanone on January 01, 2019, 11:05:37 AM
Although long since removed, the "STOP DEATH" rail road crossing in Grenada, Mississippi needs to be posted:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mdah.ms.gov%2Fsenseofplace%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2014%2F06%2FStop-Death-Stop-railroad-crossing-in-Grenada-from-unprocessed-collection-of-Sidney-T.-Roebuck-Highway-Commissioner-of-the-Central-District-MDAH-600x485.jpg&hash=f747fa38967ec19c7b2fe8511474ef35b0cf76bc)

(From the Mississippi State Archives (http://www.mdah.ms.gov/senseofplace/2014/07/02/railroad-crossing-signal-photograph/).)

That sign will definitely get your attention...unless you are stuck on your digital device...LOL! 

Rick
Title: Re: Big death signs
Post by: Scott5114 on January 02, 2019, 07:18:44 AM
Quote from: nexus73 on January 01, 2019, 07:26:54 PM
That sign will definitely get your attention...unless you are stuck on your digital device...LOL! 

Rick

Yeah, all the digital devices that were in use in 1940 were such a huge distraction that the US didn't even notice World War II had started.
Title: Re: Big death signs
Post by: nexus73 on January 02, 2019, 12:38:12 PM
Quote from: Scott5114 on January 02, 2019, 07:18:44 AM
Quote from: nexus73 on January 01, 2019, 07:26:54 PM
That sign will definitely get your attention...unless you are stuck on your digital device...LOL! 

Rick

Yeah, all the digital devices that were in use in 1940 were such a huge distraction that the US didn't even notice World War II had started.

Good thing we did not have digital devices then, eh?  LOL!

Rick
Title: Re: Big death signs
Post by: formulanone on January 02, 2019, 05:01:50 PM
Quote from: nexus73 on January 02, 2019, 12:38:12 PM
Quote from: Scott5114 on January 02, 2019, 07:18:44 AM
Quote from: nexus73 on January 01, 2019, 07:26:54 PM
That sign will definitely get your attention...unless you are stuck on your digital device...LOL! 

Rick

Yeah, all the digital devices that were in use in 1940 were such a huge distraction that the US didn't even notice World War II had started.

Good thing we did not have digital devices then, eh?  LOL!

Rick

N73 Error: Trying to insert tired narrative where it doesn't belong.

The big yellow signs are a recent Florida thing; this one on the other end of Krome Avenue went up in January 2018:

(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4764/39967369562_a8049cf446_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/23TMdwE)

Krome (FL 997) was entirely two lanes but as a lot of truck and commuter traffic used it, impatient drivers could make it dangerous during rush hours. I once eased myself off gently to avoid someone who insisted on passing multiple cars on Krome Avenue.

By contrast, they also used to put a counter on the number of endangered Florida Panther left in the wild, around SR 29 and SR 951. Vehicle strikes were the leading cause of death. I recall the numbers went down to 30 or so, but in the late-1990s, conservation efforts increased (and their numbers to about 200) and the signs went away.
Title: Re: Big death signs
Post by: cjk374 on January 02, 2019, 07:43:41 PM
Quote from: nexus73 on January 01, 2019, 07:26:54 PM
Quote from: formulanone on January 01, 2019, 11:05:37 AM
Although long since removed, the "STOP DEATH" rail road crossing in Grenada, Mississippi needs to be posted:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mdah.ms.gov%2Fsenseofplace%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2014%2F06%2FStop-Death-Stop-railroad-crossing-in-Grenada-from-unprocessed-collection-of-Sidney-T.-Roebuck-Highway-Commissioner-of-the-Central-District-MDAH-600x485.jpg&hash=f747fa38967ec19c7b2fe8511474ef35b0cf76bc)

(From the Mississippi State Archives (http://www.mdah.ms.gov/senseofplace/2014/07/02/railroad-crossing-signal-photograph/).)

That sign will definitely get your attention...unless you are stuck on your digital device...LOL! 

Rick

I wish this was the standard crossing signal everywhere. I have always loved this.
Title: Re: Big death signs
Post by: sparker on January 03, 2019, 02:38:06 AM
Quote from: cjk374 on January 02, 2019, 07:43:41 PM
Quote from: nexus73 on January 01, 2019, 07:26:54 PM
Quote from: formulanone on January 01, 2019, 11:05:37 AM
Although long since removed, the "STOP DEATH" rail road crossing in Grenada, Mississippi needs to be posted:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mdah.ms.gov%2Fsenseofplace%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2014%2F06%2FStop-Death-Stop-railroad-crossing-in-Grenada-from-unprocessed-collection-of-Sidney-T.-Roebuck-Highway-Commissioner-of-the-Central-District-MDAH-600x485.jpg&hash=f747fa38967ec19c7b2fe8511474ef35b0cf76bc)

(From the Mississippi State Archives (http://www.mdah.ms.gov/senseofplace/2014/07/02/railroad-crossing-signal-photograph/).)

That sign will definitely get your attention...unless you are stuck on your digital device...LOL! 

Rick

I wish this was the standard crossing signal everywhere. I have always loved this.

Add gates that look like swords and you'd have an even more convincing presentation.  I only wish that someone would have photographed the sign from another perspective; it looks like it straddles both the road and the RR tracks on an angle.  Definitely enough clearance for the trains of its day (no double-stack back then!).
Title: Re: Big death signs
Post by: GenExpwy on January 03, 2019, 02:49:41 AM
Quote from: sparker on January 03, 2019, 02:38:06 AM
Quote from: cjk374 on January 02, 2019, 07:43:41 PM
Quote from: nexus73 on January 01, 2019, 07:26:54 PM
Quote from: formulanone on January 01, 2019, 11:05:37 AM
Although long since removed, the "STOP DEATH" rail road crossing in Grenada, Mississippi needs to be posted:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mdah.ms.gov%2Fsenseofplace%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2014%2F06%2FStop-Death-Stop-railroad-crossing-in-Grenada-from-unprocessed-collection-of-Sidney-T.-Roebuck-Highway-Commissioner-of-the-Central-District-MDAH-600x485.jpg&hash=f747fa38967ec19c7b2fe8511474ef35b0cf76bc)

(From the Mississippi State Archives (http://www.mdah.ms.gov/senseofplace/2014/07/02/railroad-crossing-signal-photograph/).)

That sign will definitely get your attention...unless you are stuck on your digital device...LOL! 

Rick

I wish this was the standard crossing signal everywhere. I have always loved this.

Add gates that look like swords and you'd have an even more convincing presentation.  I only wish that someone would have photographed the sign from another perspective; it looks like it straddles both the road and the RR tracks on an angle.  Definitely enough clearance for the trains of its day (no double-stack back then!).

I think the best part is that, according to Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billups_Neon_Crossing_Signal), instead of a bell it had an air raid siren.  :-o
Title: Re: Big death signs
Post by: Beltway on January 03, 2019, 04:10:33 AM
Sign --

DEATH KILLS
Title: Re: Big death signs
Post by: Scott5114 on January 03, 2019, 08:17:21 AM
It didn't straddle the railroad tracks. I found another photo on Facebook of it:
(https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/11745565_850402881719842_3973479485041481146_n.jpg?_nc_cat=107&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=a3801fe55cda44b39fde52308d8b488b&oe=5CD44BBF)
Title: Re: Big death signs
Post by: ipeters61 on January 03, 2019, 08:24:19 AM
Quote from: Scott5114 on January 03, 2019, 08:17:21 AM
It didn't straddle the railroad tracks. I found another photo on Facebook of it:
(https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/11745565_850402881719842_3973479485041481146_n.jpg?_nc_cat=107&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=a3801fe55cda44b39fde52308d8b488b&oe=5CD44BBF)
Wait that sign has neon lighting?
Title: Re: Big death signs
Post by: hotdogPi on January 03, 2019, 08:27:14 AM
Quote from: ipeters61 on January 03, 2019, 08:24:19 AM
Quote from: Scott5114 on January 03, 2019, 08:17:21 AM
It didn't straddle the railroad tracks. I found another photo on Facebook of it:
(https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/11745565_850402881719842_3973479485041481146_n.jpg?_nc_cat=107&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=a3801fe55cda44b39fde52308d8b488b&oe=5CD44BBF)
Wait that sign has neon lighting?

Yes.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billups_Neon_Crossing_Signal
Title: Re: Big death signs
Post by: ErmineNotyours on January 20, 2019, 09:22:08 PM
Compdude's Highway 20 video mentioned deer kills signs, and how they mention the dollar damage they do to your car.  I tracked it down on WSDOT SR Web and found this:

(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4839/32945268378_0fca5e8ea9_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/Scg7uA)Manual deer kill highway sign, WA SR 20 (https://flic.kr/p/Scg7uA) by Arthur Allen (https://www.flickr.com/photos/116988743@N07/), on Flickr
Title: Re: Big death signs
Post by: US71 on January 20, 2019, 09:32:35 PM
Quote from: 1 on January 03, 2019, 08:27:14 AM
Quote from: ipeters61 on January 03, 2019, 08:24:19 AM
Quote from: Scott5114 on January 03, 2019, 08:17:21 AM
It didn't straddle the railroad tracks. I found another photo on Facebook of it:
(https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/11745565_850402881719842_3973479485041481146_n.jpg?_nc_cat=107&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=a3801fe55cda44b39fde52308d8b488b&oe=5CD44BBF)
Wait that sign has neon lighting?

Yes.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billups_Neon_Crossing_Signal

That spot needs a historical marker
Title: Re: Big death signs
Post by: wanderer2575 on January 20, 2019, 11:38:07 PM
Fun-loving sign on Ontario's Highway 401:

(https://i.imgur.com/pmkByU3.jpg)
Title: Re: Big death signs
Post by: Amtrakprod on February 06, 2019, 08:47:42 PM
Quote from: US71 on January 20, 2019, 09:32:35 PM
Quote from: 1 on January 03, 2019, 08:27:14 AM
Quote from: ipeters61 on January 03, 2019, 08:24:19 AM
Quote from: Scott5114 on January 03, 2019, 08:17:21 AM
It didn't straddle the railroad tracks. I found another photo on Facebook of it:
(https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/11745565_850402881719842_3973479485041481146_n.jpg?_nc_cat=107&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=a3801fe55cda44b39fde52308d8b488b&oe=5CD44BBF)
Wait that sign has neon lighting?
Yes.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billups_Neon_Crossing_Signal

That spot needs a historical marker
Here's someones Trainz 12 creation: https://youtu.be/Y6XL2-nIWIw?t=164
Title: Re: Big death signs
Post by: US71 on February 07, 2019, 10:47:15 AM
Quote from: Amtrakprod on February 06, 2019, 08:47:42 PM

Here's someones Trainz 12 creation: https://youtu.be/Y6XL2-nIWIw?t=164

Someone needs to reconstruct that as part of a railroad museum.
Title: Re: Big death signs
Post by: index on February 07, 2019, 11:30:50 AM
Quote from: ipeters61 on December 31, 2018, 12:48:58 PM
Delaware tends to have them near the state police troops.  I track the fatalities along with other agencies within the state so I do make note of them.  However, we don't have any specific to any corridors that I'm aware of, but we're a very small state.

Headquarters (Dover): https://www.google.com/maps/@39.1930891,-75.5458007,3a,23.4y,345.99h,84.95t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sBwnKzNwfPpG3UddZ5xn7dA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656 (https://www.google.com/maps/@39.1930891,-75.5458007,3a,23.4y,345.99h,84.95t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sBwnKzNwfPpG3UddZ5xn7dA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656)

Troop 2 (Glasgow): https://www.google.com/maps/@39.6068522,-75.7295941,3a,15.1y,129.43h,87.27t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sqIP5u2udKp7F8xQv8FVmxw!2e0!7i13312!8i6656 (https://www.google.com/maps/@39.6068522,-75.7295941,3a,15.1y,129.43h,87.27t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sqIP5u2udKp7F8xQv8FVmxw!2e0!7i13312!8i6656)

Troop 6 (Marshallton): https://www.google.com/maps/@39.7370049,-75.6271773,3a,15.1y,332.4h,89.65t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sizlxoUARsSpWs3lgBUKhKA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656 (https://www.google.com/maps/@39.7370049,-75.6271773,3a,15.1y,332.4h,89.65t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sizlxoUARsSpWs3lgBUKhKA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656)

There's also this fire deaths sign on DE-896 between Newark and Glasgow: https://www.google.com/maps/@39.6307109,-75.7438623,3a,15y,214.32h,87.98t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1ss2tRc66Od6di9CGWX7nMwg!2e0!6s%2F%2Fgeo1.ggpht.com%2Fcbk%3Fpanoid%3Ds2tRc66Od6di9CGWX7nMwg%26output%3Dthumbnail%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26thumb%3D2%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D274.74603%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i13312!8i6656 (https://www.google.com/maps/@39.6307109,-75.7438623,3a,15y,214.32h,87.98t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1ss2tRc66Od6di9CGWX7nMwg!2e0!6s%2F%2Fgeo1.ggpht.com%2Fcbk%3Fpanoid%3Ds2tRc66Od6di9CGWX7nMwg%26output%3Dthumbnail%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26thumb%3D2%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D274.74603%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i13312!8i6656)


On a similar, semi-relevant note, north end of the Harry W. Nice bridge has a counter sign for the removal of impaired drivers. It's not a death sign, but nonetheless, the concept is the same.


https://www.google.com/maps/@38.3644424,-76.9750408,3a,15y,109.06h,91.98t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1swIxcllcURTulwZT_YptoLA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656?hl=en
Title: Re: Big death signs
Post by: sparker on February 07, 2019, 12:53:50 PM
Quote from: US71 on February 07, 2019, 10:47:15 AM
Quote from: Amtrakprod on February 06, 2019, 08:47:42 PM

Here's someones Trainz 12 creation: https://youtu.be/Y6XL2-nIWIw?t=164

Someone needs to reconstruct that as part of a railroad museum.

I wonder if somewhere out there is a HO (or even "O" gauge) model of the Billups sign.  Vendors have regularly done "one-offs" of relatively rare locomotives; this sign would be a real hoot on someone's layout (particularly if it followed the prototype in operation -- including the sonics!).
Title: Re: Big death signs
Post by: Scott5114 on February 07, 2019, 09:39:16 PM
Quote from: sparker on February 07, 2019, 12:53:50 PM
I wonder if somewhere out there is a HO (or even "O" gauge) model of the Billups sign.  Vendors have regularly done "one-offs" of relatively rare locomotives; this sign would be a real hoot on someone's layout (particularly if it followed the prototype in operation -- including the sonics!).

I'm not a model-railroad guy, but I would think that 3D printing has done wonders for the hobby. It probably wouldn't be too hard to 3D print the top part of a Billups sign, although I'm not so sure how well the trusses could be represented in that medium.
Title: Re: Big death signs
Post by: skquinn on August 03, 2020, 07:31:41 AM
Quote from: index on February 07, 2019, 11:30:50 AM
On a similar, semi-relevant note, north end of the Harry W. Nice bridge has a counter sign for the removal of impaired drivers. It's not a death sign, but nonetheless, the concept is the same.


https://www.google.com/maps/@38.3644424,-76.9750408,3a,15y,109.06h,91.98t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1swIxcllcURTulwZT_YptoLA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656?hl=en

A subdivision near where I used to live just north of Houston has a sign for the number of traffic citations issued within the subdivision--not accidents, not deaths, just the number of tickets the cops have handed out. Apparently this is supposed to discourage cut-through traffic.
Title: Re: Big death signs
Post by: Ned Weasel on August 03, 2020, 10:12:05 AM
Quote from: US71 on December 31, 2018, 03:06:16 PM
Arkansas used to have those along US 71.

X number of deaths in the last three years.
Don't you be next.

They were removed when I-540 (now 49) was opened.

I remember those signs from road trips when I was a kid.  I always thought that was an interesting use of language.  The present tense imperative is one of the few cases in English where the verb form implies the subject, but I don't think there's a rule stating that you must omit the subject.  I'm pretty sure "Don't go to the mall" and "Don't you go to the mall" are equally valid.  But this type of construction can lead to confusion in the affirmative.  "Go to the mall" is clearly imperative, but if you say, "You go to the mall," how does one know whether it's imperative or indicative?  That last type of construction is usually indicative.

Maybe it's a good thing the MUTCD hasn't expanded its scope to become grammar police.

Way off topic, but I remember New Jersey used to use black-on-yellow signs reading:

RIGHT LANE
FOR
EXIT ONLY

While most states would use:

RIGHT LANE
EXIT ONLY

It's obvious which takes less space, but it's debatable as to which is better, but the shortened version became MUTCD sign W9-7 with the word "AHEAD" added.

The New Jersey Turnpike also used to use "EXIT X FOR [destination(s)]" in its supplemental guide signs, but the MUTCD's version reverses the order and omits the preposition.  So, while it's not totally being the grammar police, the MUTCD doesn't seem to like prepositions, except for indirect route designations ("to") and secondary destinations ("via," although I'm not even finding that one in the MUTCD unless it's buried deep in a long block of text somewhere).

Quote from: wanderer2575 on January 20, 2019, 11:38:07 PM
Fun-loving sign on Ontario's Highway 401:

(https://i.imgur.com/pmkByU3.jpg)


I really appreciated seeing this sign when I drove the 401 routinely for work.  It's an interesting use of color, though.  Yellow text to imply warning?  Blue panels have more uses in Ontario than they do in the U.S., however, since they're also used for the 407 ETR and the 401's CD roadways, in addition to service signs.
Title: Re: Big death signs
Post by: STLmapboy on August 13, 2020, 05:43:15 PM
There's a rather famous one in the original 1979 Mad Max that a certain forum member has based his account details on:
https://madmax.fandom.com/wiki/Highway_9,_Sector_26
Title: Re: Big death signs
Post by: TXtoNJ on August 13, 2020, 08:26:31 PM
The Billups sign really leans into the Faulkner-era Southern Gothic aesthetic, doesn't it? Especially in sepia tones.
Title: Re: Big death signs
Post by: Max Rockatansky on August 13, 2020, 08:31:39 PM
Quote from: STLmapboy on August 13, 2020, 05:43:15 PM
There's a rather famous one in the original 1979 Mad Max that a certain forum member has based his account details on:
https://madmax.fandom.com/wiki/Highway_9,_Sector_26

Hmmmm...looks familiar. 
Title: Re: Big death signs
Post by: SidS1045 on August 14, 2020, 10:23:44 AM
Quote from: TXtoNJ on August 13, 2020, 08:26:31 PMThe Billups sign really leans into the Faulkner-era Southern Gothic aesthetic, doesn't it? Especially in sepia tones.

An animated simulation of the real thing:

Title: Re: Big death signs
Post by: STLmapboy on August 14, 2020, 04:49:48 PM
Quote from: SidS1045 on August 14, 2020, 10:23:44 AM
Quote from: TXtoNJ on August 13, 2020, 08:26:31 PMThe Billups sign really leans into the Faulkner-era Southern Gothic aesthetic, doesn't it? Especially in sepia tones.

An animated simulation of the real thing:



That looks/sounds more apocalyptic than Mad Max...
Title: Re: Big death signs
Post by: thenetwork on August 15, 2020, 11:24:02 AM
Probably had more deaths there due to heart attacks from drivers who were crossing as it went off.