Ignored traffic controls are one of the leading causes of car collisions. Each year thousands of people are killed in motor vehicle crashes and millions are injured. Negligence on the part of the driver means that he did not exercise reasonable care as for instance he allowed himself to be distracted or he carelessly ignored traffic controls and signals.

A stop sign is one of the most valuable and effective control devices when used at the right place and under the right conditions. It is intended to help drivers and pedestrians at an intersection decide who has the right of way.

Nearly sixty percent of all drivers has unfairly neglected traffic signs and fail to come to a complete stop at a stop sign. At four-way stops they also tend to assume that they have the right to go as soon as they have slowed or stopped increasing the risk for pedestrians and cyclists. One common misuse of stop signs is to randomly interrupt through traffic, either by causing it to stop, or by causing such an inconvenience as to force the traffic to use other routes. Where stop signs are installed as "nuisances" or "speed breakers," there is high incidence of intentional violation.

In those locations where vehicles do stop, the speed reduction is effective only in the immediate vicinity of the stop sign, and frequently speeds are actually higher between intersections.

One of the main lines of action in developing traffic safety involves communication and educating the population to develop their knowledge and attitudes as well as a safe, responsible and supportive behavior on the street with the basic aim of preventing traffic accidents.

Most drivers are reasonable and cautious. However when drivers are renounced and unreasonable restrictions are continually imposed, drivers become careless about the need to obey the law. This then results to accidents due to ignored traffic controls. Unnecessary accidents can result from more obvious violations and when rules are disregarded at intersections where the stop sign may be truly serving public safety. Speed bumps are often placed to control the speed of vehicles. Speed bumps result in an increased risk of personal injuries to vehicles when ignored. Observing speed limits can also lessen the risk of getting involved in a car accident.

Generating a change in attitude is a more ambitious goal than achieving a change of behavior but it is important to work on this in order to reach a lasting effect over time and eventually reduce the risk of automobile accidents.