Traffic Safety FAQ's
The installation of STOP signs requires an Engineering Traffic Study as outlined by the
Federal Highway Administration (FWHA). STOP signs are meant to control right-of-way
at intersections and are expressly prohibited from being used for speed control. An
unwarranted STOP sign installation reduces speed only immediately adjacent to the
sign. In most cases, drivers accelerate as soon as possible, to a speed faster than they
drove before the STOP signs were installed. They do this apparently to make up for time
lost at the STOP sign. STOP signs are not effective for speed control.
Drivers tend to ignore unwarranted traffic controls or obstacles that, in their view, are
unnecessary. If they are frequently required to stop for STOP signs and rarely see any
traffic on the opposing street, they may become impatient and tend to disregard STOP
signs that have no obvious need. Unwarranted STOP signs do not reduce accidents and
may actually increase the potential for accidents.
Federal Highway Administration (FWHA). STOP signs are meant to control right-of-way
at intersections and are expressly prohibited from being used for speed control. An
unwarranted STOP sign installation reduces speed only immediately adjacent to the
sign. In most cases, drivers accelerate as soon as possible, to a speed faster than they
drove before the STOP signs were installed. They do this apparently to make up for time
lost at the STOP sign. STOP signs are not effective for speed control.
Drivers tend to ignore unwarranted traffic controls or obstacles that, in their view, are
unnecessary. If they are frequently required to stop for STOP signs and rarely see any
traffic on the opposing street, they may become impatient and tend to disregard STOP
signs that have no obvious need. Unwarranted STOP signs do not reduce accidents and
may actually increase the potential for accidents.
The Board of Fairfield Police Commissioners (LTA) has determined that the use of Speed
Bumps or Speed Tables is not an approved Traffic Calming solution for the Town of
Fairfield.
Bumps or Speed Tables is not an approved Traffic Calming solution for the Town of
Fairfield.
The Office of the State Traffic Administration determines the speed limit on all roads
within the State of Connecticut. The minimum speed limit on most town roads is 25
mph (excluding private roads).
within the State of Connecticut. The minimum speed limit on most town roads is 25
mph (excluding private roads).
Residents can place a request for speed enforcement by submitting a Traffic
Enforcement request through the Fairfield Police Department Traffic Safety Unit.
Residents can also contact the Fairfield Police Traffic Division at 203-254-4850. The
Traffic Unit will deploy Traffic Unit Officers and/or speed devices to a particular problem
area to address speeding concerns. Please bear in mind that the Town of Fairfield has
approximately 270 miles of roadway within its borders and we will do our best to
conduct periodic enforcement on any particular problem area.
Enforcement request through the Fairfield Police Department Traffic Safety Unit.
Residents can also contact the Fairfield Police Traffic Division at 203-254-4850. The
Traffic Unit will deploy Traffic Unit Officers and/or speed devices to a particular problem
area to address speeding concerns. Please bear in mind that the Town of Fairfield has
approximately 270 miles of roadway within its borders and we will do our best to
conduct periodic enforcement on any particular problem area.
The functions of traffic signs are to provide regulations, warnings and guidance
information to road users. Words, Symbols and arrows are used to convey the messages.
There are three main classifications of signs:
the National Manual on Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) for the installation and
maintenance of traffic control devices. This is a legal document that can be found at
https://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/
information to road users. Words, Symbols and arrows are used to convey the messages.
There are three main classifications of signs:
- Regulatory – which give notice of traffic laws and regulations
- Warning Signs – which give notice of a situation that might not be readily apparent
- Guide Signs – which show route designations, services and geographical information
the National Manual on Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) for the installation and
maintenance of traffic control devices. This is a legal document that can be found at
https://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/
The Children at Play sign does not exist in the MUTCD list of approved signs. This is not
to say there aren’t some existing signs in the community that have been erroneously
allowed to remain until the end of the sign service life at which time they will be
removed.
to say there aren’t some existing signs in the community that have been erroneously
allowed to remain until the end of the sign service life at which time they will be
removed.
Having collected additional data supporting the proposed change, follow up requests
may be submitted 6 months after the initial request was made.
may be submitted 6 months after the initial request was made.
A Sight Survey is performed by the Police Commission (LTA) in collaboration with Police
and Engineering Departments and at times Department of Public Works. Sight surveys
are completed on a monthly basis for problem areas.
An RSA is performed by the Engineering Department for more complicated issues that
may have potential for grant applications. RSA’s do involve a larger number of officials
and can take up to six (6) months to complete.
and Engineering Departments and at times Department of Public Works. Sight surveys
are completed on a monthly basis for problem areas.
An RSA is performed by the Engineering Department for more complicated issues that
may have potential for grant applications. RSA’s do involve a larger number of officials
and can take up to six (6) months to complete.
Traffic Calming will be evaluated and determined by the LTA and Engineering
Department. Traffic Calming features are sight specific and are not a one size fits all.
Many options are considered during evaluations such as cost, right of way, traffic
volumes, functional classifications and surrounding streets.
Department. Traffic Calming features are sight specific and are not a one size fits all.
Many options are considered during evaluations such as cost, right of way, traffic
volumes, functional classifications and surrounding streets.
The public should not contact the state directly and should send their request to the
Engineering Department. The Engineering Department will then review the issue and
submit a request for state review.
Engineering Department. The Engineering Department will then review the issue and
submit a request for state review.
This is where the Neighborhood Petition Form comes in place. A resident can petition
for No Parking signs to be posted, which must be approved by the LTA.
Police can only enforce No Parking Zones (ie Handicapped Parking, Parking within 25
feet of on Intersection/Crosswalk, blocking a Fire Hydrant etc) on public streets.
for No Parking signs to be posted, which must be approved by the LTA.
Police can only enforce No Parking Zones (ie Handicapped Parking, Parking within 25
feet of on Intersection/Crosswalk, blocking a Fire Hydrant etc) on public streets.
Conditions such as these (overgrown tree branches, hidden/faded traffic signs or
markings can be reported directly to the Department of Public Works (DPW) at 203-
256-3177 or online at: https://www.fairfieldct.org/311/
markings can be reported directly to the Department of Public Works (DPW) at 203-
256-3177 or online at: https://www.fairfieldct.org/311/