Orange County converting over 3,000 yield signs into stop signs

The Orange County Public Works Traffic Engineering Division (has a really long name, yes) is in the process of converting over 3,000 yield signs into stop signs as part of an effort to enhance safety in county neighborhoods.

The project was adopted by the Board of Orange County Commissioners back in December 2020, when Public Works identified 3,358 yield signs that could be converted. They have divided those signs into 15 different groups and they’ve already converted a third of the groups since starting in 2021. At the current rate, the county expects to be finished with the project by October 2023.

“Over the years, Traffic Engineering has received numerous requests to replace yield signs with stop signs within residential neighborhoods,” said Frank Yokiel AICP, Orange County Traffic Engineering Project Manager. “We review these requests on a case-by-case basis and replace the yield signs.  Since the yield signs were reaching their life expectancy for reflectivity, Traffic Engineering decided to initiate a program to replace all of the yield signs with stop signs for traffic control in residential neighborhoods.”

“It clarifies user’s expectations to stop every single time,” said Humberto Castillero, P.E., PTOE, Traffic Engineering Division Manager. “It also increases awareness of traffic conditions and provides more time for users to decide whether it is safe to navigate through the intersection.  In addition, the new diamond grade material used for the STOP signs has much better reflectivity at night, enhancing the conspicuity of the signs.”