Over the holiday, citizens of Kanab reported the four-way stop at the intersection of Main Street and 100 North - the intersection between the Kane County Courthouse and the old Kanab Elementary School property - had the north and southbound stop signs removed, resulting in a right-of-way lane and stop signs for westbound traffic on 100 North and eastbound traffic leaving the old school property.
With school traffic now going to the Ranchos and the new elementary school, the removal of the stop signs makes Main Street consistent with other parallel roads between Center Street and locations like the Kane County Hospital and James Hamblin Park.
Reports from Kanab locals navigating the intersection show concern over the safety of drivers adjusting to the change, citing the “four-way stop” indicator which remained on the stop sign until after the holiday, as well as habitual stops from drivers used to the four-way.
Drivers report the inconvenience of northbound vehicles stopping where the stop sign used to be. Said one driver, “I’m trying to turn on to Main, and there’s a car there that’s stopped like it’s a four-way; he’s got the right of way to drive through, and I have to decide whether to try to wave him forward so he realizes, or to make my turn while he waits on a road with no stop sign.” Northbound vehicles were observed stopping in the intersection, presumably out of expectation for the sign that used to be there, and vehicles behind having to brake unexpectedly to avoid a collision.
Drivers navigating northbound on Kanab’s Main Street are cautioned to drive defensively as habitual drivers adjust to the change. Safety Officials remind drivers to never drive distracted or drowsy and to pay attention to other drivers. As of December 31, the ‘four-way’ designator has been removed from the east-facing stop sign on 100 N., with city crews responding on New Year’s Eve to make the adjustment.
