Why is a stop sign painted red ?

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Barkley Hound

Because green was already used for go.

Swampy_Bogtrotter

What a dumb question.

mikey2002

because it stands out and red signifies danger

Toolism

Red grabs attention therefore the Stop sign is painted Red.

mary.cargill55@btinternet.com

Red for danger. If you don't stop you are in danger of being hit by oncoming traffic !!!!!!!!

pdudenhefer

to grab your attention

she wolf.

might have something to with ..red means danger.. which it would be if you didnt stop ...very dangerous lol

mistickle17

It's in a bright colour to draw your attention to the sign.

Spook

red for danger

nonono

because the red is only color we get to see with very much distance.

arwen

For more info, see:

http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/infrastructure/numbers.htm

http://signalfan.freeservers.com/road%20signs/stopsign.htm

http://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/kno-history.htm

Alex B

... but the letters are white!

sarch_uk

Red signifies danger and a STOP sign is usually to be found at a dangerous junction..

amber_xx66

because red stands for danger the world over

Crazy Diamond

Red for BLOOD = Red for DANGER. That's how I was taught.

Astra

. . . probably a left over from your anti-communist era, maybe J. Edgar Hoover found a can of red paint (how are things with Cuba?) . . .

migelito

Red is a traditional sign of danger so is an obvious choice for hazard signs.

Lawyer

to get your attention

mrsc

its a warning sign !!!

ohsocheeky

Because the colour red is associated with danger, and warning! Thus a red stop sign is WARNING you, that there may be DANGER ahead if you don't stop!!

tlcrazy_legs

If yellow is the easiest color to see, why are stop signs red?

Well there's a possible psychological explanation. Car-bound cowboys might see a yellow stop sign as a challenge to their manhood. If you give in to the traffic rules you don't have the guts to risk instant death. Stop and you're as yellow as the sign.

Actually that's not too far off. Psychology is what the color of the sign is all about. Red causes excitement, heightened awareness, and possibly even suggests sex to some people. In other words, drivers are likely to notice it and pay attention.

Then there's the aversion factor: red also conjures up blood. Do you really want your face and body rearranged to resemble an abstract expressionist painting? You can apply the brakes, or suffer the breaks.

(Source: EVER WONDER WHY? By Douglas B. Smith)

ellehcim

easy to spot even from afar...try making it purple and lets see if you can see it from a good distance....

raiders4life

red, cus red is a very noticeable color

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