Why doesn't the City put up "children at play" signs?

The posting of generalized warning signs with "SLOW," "CHILDREN AT PLAY," or other similar messages is an often heard neighborhood request. Parental concern for the safety of children in the street near home is often the prompt for these requests, but this widespread public faith in traffic signs is misguided. The times in which such a sign is applicable are infrequent to the point where such signs are ignored by regular drivers. Worse yet, these signs often create a false sense of security for children and parents.

Although some other states have posted such signs widely in residential areas, no factual evidence has been presented to document their success in reducing pedestrian accidents, operating speeds or legal liability. Studies have shown that many types of signs attempting to warn of normal conditions in residential areas have failed to achieve the desired safety benefits. If signs falsely encourage parents and children to believe they have an added degree of protection, a great disservice results.

Because of these serious considerations, California does not recognize, and Federal Standards discourage, use of "Children at Play" signs. Children should be encouraged not to play in the street. Warning signs to the contrary have long been rejected since they are a direct and open suggestion that this behavior is acceptable.

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1. When will a lower speed limit be posted on my street?
2. What flood zone is my property in?
3. Does somebody have to be Injured before a traffic signal will be installed?
4. Who is responsible to fix the sidewalk?
5. When does the street sweeper sweep my street?
6. When do I need an encroachment permit?
7. Where does the homeowner's responsibility for water service begin?
8. When are we going to get some bikeways in our neighborhood?
9. Why doesn't the City put up "children at play" signs?
10. Why don't you put in more stop signs?
11. Can I get a transportation permit online?
12. Where can I get sandbags?
13. How do I report a street light outage?
14. How do I report potholes, uneven sidewalks, or damaged road signs?
15. What do I do if my sewer line is backed up?
16. How do I report traffic/parking problems or make traffic-related suggestions?
17. How do I get a debris box or storage bin?
18. How do I get traffic calming measures (like speed humps) installed on my street?