FAQs • Road Commission for Oakland County • CivicEngage

How are speed limits determined and by whom?: Have you ever watched cars go by your home or business and felt that they were going too fast and perhaps the speed limit was too high? Complaints regarding the speed of traffic and even petitions for lower speeds are very common. Ever wonder just how speed limits are determined? Read how on the Speed Limits page.

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Safety

1. Won't a "children at play" sign help protect our kids?: At first consideration, it might seem that this sign would provide protection for youngsters playing in a neighborhood. It doesn't. Studies conducted in cities where such signs were widely posted in residential areas show no evidence of having reduced pedestrian crashes, vehicles speeds or legal liability. Learn more on the Children at Play page.

2. Are mailboxes a safety concern?: Mailbox installation may seem simple, but residents need to think about safety before they install a new mailbox. Mailboxes that are set firmly into the ground, and/or have large posts, can become a fixed-object hazard. Learn more on the Mailboxes page.

3. What is process for requesting speed bumps?: This section is being updated. For information or questions, please email us at dcsmail@rcoc.org or call 877-858-4804.

4. How are speed limits determined and by whom?: Have you ever watched cars go by your home or business and felt that they were going too fast and perhaps the speed limit was too high? Complaints regarding the speed of traffic and even petitions for lower speeds are very common. Ever wonder just how speed limits are determined? Read how on the Speed Limits page.

5. Will a stop sign slow traffic on our street?: Stop signs installed in the wrong places for the wrong purposes usually create more problems than they solve. One common misuse of stop signs is to arbitrarily interrupt traffic, either by causing it to stop or by causing such an inconvenience that motorists are forced to use other routes. Learn more on the Stop Signs page.

6. How does the Road Commission determine when and where to put a traffic signal?: Often developers proposing a new subdivision or shopping mall hope to get the Road Commission to install a traffic signal at the entrance to their development to make it easier to get in and out. If there are already traffic problems in the area, frequently local residents will voice their agreement that what is needed to solve the problem is another traffic signal. It is as if signals are viewed as some sort of cure-all. Learn more on the Traffic Signal page.

7. What is a HAWK Crosswalk Beacon?: The HAWK is a new form of pedestrian crosswalk beacon. It is referred to as a "beacon" rather than a "signal" because it is only lit when it is activated by a pedestrian pushing the crosswalk button. It has a different configuration than traditional signals, with two red lights next to each other above one yellow light. There is no green light. HAWK pedestrian-crosswalk beacons may be used where traffic signals or stop signs are not appropriate, such as at roundabouts.

Hawk Pedestrian Crosswalk Brochure

8. What are "warrants" for traffic control devices?: A warrant for any traffic control device (sign, signal or pavement marking) is the minimum criteria that must be met before such a device can be installed. Meeting a warrant does not mean a traffic control device must be installed. View information about Warrants for Traffic Control Devices page.