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In regard to unintended consequences, I believe that the nationwide push to add yield signs to non-signalized crossings will increase the crash rate rather than reduce it.  Because a yield is perceived to be the most permissive of traffic control signs, it will deemphasize the gravity of the crossbuck in the minds of most drivers.  <o:p></o:p> As I mentioned, recent studies have shown that most drivers do not know that a crossbuck means yield, so there is a nationwide push to add yield signs to all non-signalized crossings.  Yet, while relatively few drivers realize that a crossbuck means yield, nearly all drivers believe that a crossbuck means you should stop for a train.  From a practical standpoint, what is the difference between these two interpretations?  I don’t see any.       <o:p></o:p> Here is an interesting discussion among traffic control people about adding yield signs to grade crossings.  It is an amazing revelation of just how much thought is being put into this on an official regulatory level, and how nuanced and complex the issue is:   <o:p></o:p> <a href="http://knowledge.fhwa.dot.gov/cops/OpsPublic.nsf/discussionDisplay?Open&id=79EB6070A883C48B852576BA00673DBF&Group=signs&tab=DISCUSSION">http://knowledge.fhwa.dot.gov/cops/OpsPublic.nsf/discussionDisplay?Open&id=79EB6070A883C48B852576BA00673DBF&Group=signs&tab=DISCUSSION</a>  <o:p></o:p> There is concern about degrading the general driver respect for the yield sign by placing it on all passive grade crossings.  The same concern is extended to placing stop signs at passive grade crossings.     <o:p></o:p> There is the common confusion over what a yield sign actually means with one person concluding that drivers do not cross at speeds slow enough to enable them to yield.  Yet, it is yielding that should determine the crossing speed, not the other way around.  <o:p></o:p> The last comment is from someone who stopped at the stop sign on a rural grade crossing and was nearly rear-ended by a Georgia State trooper approaching the crossing at 65mph.    <o:p></o:p> Here is another interesting answer to the question of whether a crossbuck means yield.  It says the answer is yes and no.  No wonder drivers are confused.   <o:p></o:p> <a href="http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Are_crossbuck_signs_considered_a_yeild_signs">http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Are_crossbuck_signs_considered_a_yeild_signs</a>  <o:p></o:p> They go on to say that a crossbuck requires a driver to stop and look for trains.  Of course, that is incorrect, but is a common misunderstanding of the yield sign.  There is no requirement to stop at a crossbuck if no train is approaching, and doing so would create a risk of being rear-ended by a following driver who understands that there is no requirement to stop.
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