Stop signs with traffic signals in Mexico

[ethanhopkin14]

I remember years ago encountering more than one intersection with stop signs and traffic lights at the same intersection in Ciudad Acuna.  I was wondering if anyone else has seen them and if they are still existing. 

[kphoger]

Yes, very common. They are to be ignored. Stop signs in random, useless locations is not a rare phenomenon in Mexico.

[riiga]

I'm guessing it could be the same approach as used in Europe, it's for when traffic lights are out/not working. The other road has priority and this one has to stop.

[TheHighwayMan3561]

I've seen it in Wisconsin in a number of places where stop signs are installed near the base of stoplight masts and kept folded in half in case they need to be used.

[kphoger]

I'm guessing it could be the same approach as used in Europe, it's for when traffic lights are out/not working. The other road has priority and this one has to stop.

That implies forethought and preventative action. Quite unlikely. We're talking about a country that installs yield signs at right angle to stop signs, posts stop signs at minor crosswalks but not necessarily major intersections, frequently omits one-way signs at intersections, leaves up temporary work zone speed limit signs long after construction is done (often within feet of the replacement speed limit sign) while failing to sign detours when a highway is out, et cetera.

Some things are just quixotic and illogical.

[TEG24601]

Are the stop signs on the same road as the traffic signals?  Or on a cross street?

[SectorZ]

I had one in my hometown where the stop sign lasted for around 5 years after they put a traffic signal in. Nothing like almost rear ending someone who'd slam on the brakes with the green light due to the confusion.

[US71]

I've seen it in Wisconsin in a number of places where stop signs are installed near the base of stoplight masts and kept folded in half in case they need to be used.

Ditto Missouri

[Brandon]

I've seen it in Wisconsin in a number of places where stop signs are installed near the base of stoplight masts and kept folded in half in case they need to be used.

Ditto Missouri

Ditto Illinois.

[kphoger]

Are the stop signs on the same road as the traffic signals?  Or on a cross street?

Same.

[jakeroot]

I had one in my hometown where the stop sign lasted for around 5 years after they put a traffic signal in. Nothing like almost rear ending someone who'd slam on the brakes with the green light due to the confusion.

That's insane. Do you have any photos?

[TEG24601]

Are the stop signs on the same road as the traffic signals?  Or on a cross street?

Same.

Strange.


Although, given what I have learned about Michigan Law when the signals go out (they don't all revert to all-way stops), it might be a useful thing to have small stop signs adjacent to the lights where you are supposed to stop when the power is lost.

[roadfro]

Although, given what I have learned about Michigan Law when the signals go out (they don't all revert to all-way stops), it might be a useful thing to have small stop signs adjacent to the lights where you are supposed to stop when the power is lost.

Wait...I thought all-way stop during power failure was pretty universal in the U.S.  So what is the Michigan law at a traffic signal during power failure?

[jakeroot]

Although, given what I have learned about Michigan Law when the signals go out (they don't all revert to all-way stops), it might be a useful thing to have small stop signs adjacent to the lights where you are supposed to stop when the power is lost.

Wait...I thought all-way stop during power failure was pretty universal in the U.S.  So what is the Michigan law at a traffic signal during power failure?

From what I've read, it seems like the more important roads have priority. The law does appear to be unique to Michigan.

[SectorZ]

I had one in my hometown where the stop sign lasted for around 5 years after they put a traffic signal in. Nothing like almost rear ending someone who'd slam on the brakes with the green light due to the confusion.

That's insane. Do you have any photos?

Sorry I don't, it was from quite a while back. I think from 1994 to around 2000 or so before the sign finally came down.

[freebrickproductions]

At Hobson City, AL's only traffic light, they have bagged stop signs set-up around it for when the town can't pay the power bill in time and the power company cuts the power to the signal.
http://www.instantstreetview.com/@33.620371,-85.837132,-351.48h,-4.76p,0z

[SectorZ]

Although, given what I have learned about Michigan Law when the signals go out (they don't all revert to all-way stops), it might be a useful thing to have small stop signs adjacent to the lights where you are supposed to stop when the power is lost.

Wait...I thought all-way stop during power failure was pretty universal in the U.S.  So what is the Michigan law at a traffic signal during power failure?

Most states it's an all way stop. As an insurance auto claims adjuster, I loved giving the bad news to someone who'd bomb through a disabled signal at 55 MPH and think they had right of way when they nailed someone. Given what I've seen on the roads most people seem to feel that way.

[Joe The Dragon]

Although, given what I have learned about Michigan Law when the signals go out (they don't all revert to all-way stops), it might be a useful thing to have small stop signs adjacent to the lights where you are supposed to stop when the power is lost.

Wait...I thought all-way stop during power failure was pretty universal in the U.S.  So what is the Michigan law at a traffic signal during power failure?

Most states it's an all way stop. As an insurance auto claims adjuster, I loved giving the bad news to someone who'd bomb through a disabled signal at 55 MPH and think they had right of way when they nailed someone. Given what I've seen on the roads most people seem to feel that way.

And yet people will blow past new but not yet turned on signals on the main road

[spooky]

Although, given what I have learned about Michigan Law when the signals go out (they don't all revert to all-way stops), it might be a useful thing to have small stop signs adjacent to the lights where you are supposed to stop when the power is lost.

Wait...I thought all-way stop during power failure was pretty universal in the U.S.  So what is the Michigan law at a traffic signal during power failure?

From what I've read, it seems like the more important roads have priority. The law does appear to be unique to Michigan.

Who gets to decide which is the more important road?

[jeffandnicole]

Although, given what I have learned about Michigan Law when the signals go out (they don't all revert to all-way stops), it might be a useful thing to have small stop signs adjacent to the lights where you are supposed to stop when the power is lost.

Wait...I thought all-way stop during power failure was pretty universal in the U.S.  So what is the Michigan law at a traffic signal during power failure?

From what I've read, it seems like the more important roads have priority. The law does appear to be unique to Michigan.

Who gets to decide which is the more important road?

Clearly, it's the road I'm on!

NJ's default Traffic Circle rule (not law however) is the main route has priority.  Sometimes it's fairly easy to determine; sometimes not.   And because the main "route" has priority, that means it has priority both entering and going around the circle, and traffic already in the circle, or entering the circle, has to yield. 

If there's an accident, I couldn't tell you who would be found at fault.  Thankfully never have been in a situation like that.

Of course, once a yield sign is posted, then there's a clear definition of who has the right of way and who has to yield.  Doesn't matter if traffic within the circle has to yield (against normal convention of right-of-way), they would have to yield.

There are some areas (LBI, NJ) where most of the traffic signals are turned off in the winter.  Stop signs are posted for the side streets.  By law, as the light is off, someone on the main road should be stopping.  But everyone is aware how the system works.