Dundas intersection

Missing from the discussion about the Park-Cross intersection — and possibly more important than speed or visibility — is the issue of driver psychology.

Almost every corner with a stop sign now has a four-way stop, so drivers have been conditioned to expect them. When drivers subconsciously expect a four-way stop at a two-way intersection, a dangerous situation is created.

I have witnessed more than one northbound driver on Cross come to a full stop at Park. It’s not that they weren’t paying attention: they were just confused when the four-way stop that they expected wasn’t there. Given their conditioning, a two-way stop at such an intersection simply “does not compute.” Similarly, it is understandable that drivers on Park approaching the intersection might instinctively expect drivers on Cross to stop, and when they don’t …

I’m not arguing for a four-way stop at Park and Cross, which is an idea that has been studied and rejected. What should be tried is clear signage heading both ways on Park to the effect that traffic on Cross does not stop.

Mark Mullins, Dundas