BIG SIGNS TO COMBAT TRAFFIC PROBLEM

In Cape Girardeau, nearly 40 percent of all traffic accidents involve one motorist rear-ending another. The vast majority of those accidents happen at traffic signals with right-turn ramps.

In hopes of catching drivers attention and in turn slowing the number of rear-end accidents, Cape Girardeau Police have placed large traffic message boards at two intersections.

"We were looking for something proactive to do," said Sgt. J.R. Davis with the Cape Girardeau Police Department.

After an accident, motorists are ticketed. "But I would rather get them to stop and pay attention rather than issue a ticket."

In about 70 percent of motor vehicle accidents, driver inattention was part of the cause, Davis said.

Two vehicles enter the right-turn lane. The first begins to move forward into traffic, but stops. The second rear-ends the first.

Police considered a permanent caution sign, but decided the portable, changing signs would create more attention.

The animated messages flash messages like "Use caution" and "Look before starting."

The signs today are at the intersection of Broadway and Kingshighway and the intersection of Mount Auburn and Route K.

Davis plans to move the signs every few days to different intersections.

The signs are on loan from the Missouri Department of Transportation and are the same type of signs used to signal highway construction.

"We will continue to use the signs as long as we can," Davis said.

In addition to the public education campaign, Davis said the traditional traffic control methods will continue.

Motorists involved in rear-end accidents are likely to be ticketed.

"We have such a high volume of traffic, especially on state routes like Kingshighway and William," Davis said. "We have a lot of traffic, and people need to use caution."