Smart stop sign cuts down on traffic deaths

As often as we report on goings-on in the Israeli homeland security sector, we are somewhat scared to travel there to investigate personally. Not because of terrorism, mind you. What really makes us nervous are Israeli drivers, who rank next to the Italians when it comes to recklessness and road rage. We will, however, reconsider if this interesting new invention by Yotan Abramson of Technion University comes to fruition. Abramson has developed a smart stop sign that sets off strong flashing LED lights if a driver appears to fail to see it. “The lights are very strong, but you only see that at their highest level if you are in the correct location,” says Abramson. Two notorious Tel Aviv intersections are now testing the devices, which consist of two pole-mounted cameras networked to specialized software.

It is not as easy a trick as one might think. “We don’t want to activate the signs too often if there is no just cause because it will erode attention,” explains Abramson. “If the lights flash all the time people will start to ignore it, the lights will become part of the background.” So far, Abramson claims that his lights have encouraged 70 percent of reckless drivers to see the stop sign (though that does not prove that they did not choose to proceed regardless.) With such success under his belt, he is also ready to take his device to market as quickly as possible. “Our solution is ready for deployment immediately. Nothing needs to be installed in the car, and we are not inventing any new signs,” he said, noting that he is also working to install a solar-panel so as to cut down the costs. After all, electricity is the most expensive element of the entire installation. “The cost of the cameras and flashing lights is relatively cheap.”