The City of Blaine uses the Minnesota Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MMUTCD) to determine where stop signs are warranted. This manual lays out certain “warrants” that must be met in order to install a four way stop at an intersection. These warrants deal with such things as traffic volumes, crash history, etc. This intersection does not meet these warrants and is signed correctly, according to the MMUTCD, as a two way stop.

Numerous studies have found that multi way stop signs do not control speeds on residential streets and actually may increase speeds in the adjacent area as motorists speed to make up for lost time. Studies have also found that stop compliance is poor at unwarranted muti-way stop signs. Drivers on the major steet can feel that the signs have no purpose and have little reason to come to a complete stop as there are usually no vehicles on the minor street.

If you feel there is a speeding problem, please contact the Blaine Police Department. The following web site provides information on the speed complaint process:

http://www.ci.blaine.mn.us/index.cfm?id=900912#.UOraJm88B8E