The Town of Exeter Uses a New
Solution to an Old Problem
The Town of Exeter is applying a foreign solution to a local problem. The problem is how to get people to yield at yield signs. The solution is to paint “yield” markings on the road in the same way a stopbar would be painted at a stop sign.
The markings are known as “Shark’s Teeth” because the elongated yield signs look like sharks teeth and because they indicate a potentially dangerous situation. Shark’s teeth were first introduced in Denmark during the 1980’s and are now prevalent throughout Europe as well as in several states in this country. Keith Noyes, the Director of Public Works, first learned of this new technology when flipping through a trade magazine earlier this year. Noyes decided to try the Shark’s Teeth because a few yield intersections in town were considered dangerous and he was very close to recommending stop signs. Noyes “doesn’t like the idea of using stop signs as a method of speed control where a yield sign is more appropriate.” The painted shark’s teeth are being used to emphasize the yield sign.
The use of the painted markings is in a trial period. Exeter’s Police Chief James Gilmore has said the paintings haven’t been in place long enough to know if they have been effective. Its something that will have to be looked at later because these aren’t intersections where accidents occur daily.
If the painted shark’s teeth accomplish what is expected, then Noyes will have them painted at more yield intersections throughout town. He doesn’t intend to have them painted in areas where crosswalks or other markings are already in place, he believes too many markings will only confuse drivers.
The Public Works Department fabricated their own templates for the markings using masonite, rather than purchasing pre-made templates. They experimented with the size of the markings and found 2’x5’ worked best with a 6” space between each “tooth.” The number of teeth they use at each intersection varies with the width of the road. At one intersection they used 5 teeth and another only 4 because one road was not as wide.