[Image shows letterhead. (See PDF version to view images.) Text on image: Coconut Creek Public Safety, 4800 West Copans Road, Coconut Creek, FL 33063, Phone (954)973-6700, Fax (954) 973-6718 ]

July 19, 2001

Shelley Row, Director Office of Transportation Operations
HOTO 1, Room 3408
400 7th Street SW
Washington, D.C. 20590

Dear Ms. Row:

I am requesting an interpretation of Section 3B.16 of the Millennium Edition of the MOTCD. Section 3B.16 states that "Stop lines should be used to indicate the point behind which vehicles are required to stop, in compliance with a STOP sign, traffic control signal, or some other traffic control device." I interpret this to say that it is permissible to use a stop line in conjunction with a "Do Not Block Intersection" sign to delineate the location where a motorist is required to stop so that they do not block an intersection.

The reason for this interpretation request is as follows: There is one particular intersection within our city that when morning traffic backs-up, it is inevitable that motorist will block the intersection. Needless to say this has generated many complaints from those residence trying to exit the community whose roadway is being blocked. In several of our neighboring cities, similar situations have been experienced. In there attempts to solve the problem, "Do Not Block Intersection" signs were installed to no avail. When those cities added a stop line to delineate the location to stop, the problem was solved. Several of these "Do Not Block Intersection" / Stop Line combinations have been in place and working without incident for several years.

As the Police Department's Traffic Division Supervisor, I recently requested to have a stop line added to the problem location in my city. The Director of Engineering for my city agrees that the combination in question would solve our problem, and that it is permissible by 3B. 16. The problem is that our city contracts to the County for Traffic Engineering; they interpret 3B.16 to say that a stop line can only be used in conjunction with a Stop Sign or traffic control signal. This clearly is not the intent of 3B. 16 since it includes "...or some other traffic control device", and a "Do Not Block Intersection" sign that is in fact a traffic control device.

As stated in section IA.01 of the MUTCD, "The purpose of traffic control devices, as well as the principles for their use, is to promote highway safety efficiency by providing the orderly movement of all road users on streets and highways throughout the nation. Traffic control devices notify road users of regulations and provide warning and guidance needed for the safe, uniform, and efficient operation of all elements of the traffic stream."

It is in my opinion that placing a stop line in conjunction with a "Do Not Block Intersection" sign is a good practice and well within the spirit of IA.01. It promotes safety, efficiency, and provides for the orderly movement of traffic by offering guidance to motorists by delineating the location where they should stop. Cases in point can be seen in Fort Lauderdale, Margate, and Coral Springs, FL.

Looking forward to your response ...

Sincerely,

Sgt. Timothy J. Bradshaw
Traffic Division Supervisor
(954) 973-6716


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