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TRAFFIC INFOR'MATION SERIES <br /> <br />WHY MADISON DOES NOT PUT <br /> "CHILDREN AT PLAY" SIGNS <br /> <br />UP <br /> <br />The Traffic Engineering Division frequently receives requests from parents <br />and neighborhood organizations for "SLOW - CHILDREN AT PLAY" or <br />similar warning signs in residential areas. These requests stem from <br />parents' concern for the safety of their children in the streets near their <br />homes. Unfortunately, these requests are based on a widespread but <br />false belief that traffic signs provide protection. <br /> <br />Although such signs have been posted widely in residential areas in some <br />municipalities, there is no evidence that they are successful in preventing <br />injury to pedestrians, or decreasing speed of vehicles or legal liability. <br /> <br />Studies have shown that many types of signs, which have been posted in <br />an attempt to warn of a "common" condition in a residential area, have <br />failed to achieve the desired safety benefits. If posting of signs gives <br />parents and children a false sense of protection, a great disservice is <br />done. Since there are children in virtually every neighborhood, Signs <br />would have to be posted in all blocks or it would indicate that there are <br />no children in areas where there are no signs posted. <br /> <br />Madison has over 7,600 acres of public park space, which includes numerous <br />neighborhood parks and playgrounds where children may play safely close <br />to home, and they should be encouraged to use them. Playing in the <br />street is illegal, unnecessary, and unsafe, and a "Children At Play" sign <br />may be interpreted by them to mean it is an acceptable place to play. <br /> <br />Because of these reasons, "Federal Standards" discourage use of "Children <br />At Play" signs. They are not used in Madison; however, specific warnings <br />are posted where needed for pedestrian crossings, schools, playgrounds <br />and other recreational areas. <br /> <br />Floyd I, Jones <br />City Traffic Engineer <br />Traffic Engineering D. lv, <br />Dept, of Transportation <br />Suite 100 Municipal Bldg, <br />215 Monona Ave, <br />Madison,Wi.,53710 <br />608-267-8751 <br /> <br /> ! <br /> ! <br /> <br />TIS -7 <br />Page 1 of 1 <br />Dec. 1983 I <br /> <br /> <br />