TRAFFIC PROPOSALS

Here are a few of the ideas for controlling unwanted traffic that residents have submitted, followed by the reasons that Torrance Traffic Manager John Vance opposes them:

Stop Signs--To traffic engineers, stop signs are intended only to assign right of way. They do not discourage drivers from using streets, nor do they slow drivers, Vance and other officials say. On the contrary, officials say that drivers who are in a rush might ignore the signs and, if they do stop, they will make up for lost time by accelerating rapidly from the sign.

Speed Bumps--The state has no standard design for speed bumps, and the city fears it would be liable for any injury caused by bumps.

Cross Gutters--Cross gutters are intended for drainage, not traffic control.

Cul-de-Sac--Blocking off a street at the end only pushes the problem traffic to another street, and often causes residents of the blocked-off street an unacceptable inconvenience.