Flashing stop sign catches attention at intersection

There have been 452 traffic stops stops in front of the school since it opened but hopefully the flashing stop sign will reduce those numbers.

Aliza Porter

There have been 452 traffic stops stops in front of the school since it opened but hopefully the flashing stop sign will reduce those numbers.

Since the school opened, there have been a total of 452 traffic stops in front of the school. During that time, there have been nine citations issued for running the stop sign at Rolater Road and Valley Brook Drive on the eastern edge of campus. However, the installation of a flashing stop sign at the intersection will potentially reduce those numbers.

It makes it easier to see the stop sign

— senior Emily Swinnea

“The high volume of traffic with cars going four different ways and people not paying attention when they’re stopping and going and things like that,” School Resource Officer Glen Hubbard said. “You see it [the flashing stop sign] better and it gets your attention other than something that’s static.”

The move to add the flashing light element to the stop sign was made by Frisco officials.

“City traffic engineers analyze the situation at an intersection and make decisions about what traffic control signs to install,” Senior Traffic Engineer Joel Fitts said. “City work crews are the ones who physically install the signs.”

Although all licensed drivers are supposed to know about the safety of stopping at a stop sign, most drivers can relate to missing a stop sign.

You see it [the flashing stop sign] better and it gets your attention other than something that’s static

— school resource officer Glen Hubbard

“It makes it easier to see the stop sign,” senior Emily Swinnea said. “I remember one time it was after school and I was coming back to school for some reason and I usually stop at that stop sign when I’m turning, but I didn’t stop because I was going straight because I forgot about the stop sign and I was so distraught because I ran the stop sign and it was crazy just because I didn’t see it so I really liked the flashing stop sign because it’s just like a reminder that yes there’s a stop sign there.”

Most students believe the flashing stop signs make a difference on the road in front of the school.

“Definitely people that are speeding down the road that don’t really see the stop sign at first, they’ll be able to see it much easier now because it’s like flashing so you can’t really miss it,” junior Vin Chatterjee said. “It help us be safer while we drive. I think it does have more of an effect because if you didn’t see it before, you’re going to see it now so you’re probably going to want to stop.”