Did you know that the world's first yield sign was designed and installed right here in Tulsa? There may not be a yield sign there now but why not pay the spot a visit!
In 1950, the world’s first yield sign was posted at the corner of First Street and Columbia Avenue in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Before the sign was introduced, this intersection was considered one of the most dangerous in Tulsa. Although there was already a right of way law in place, it was difficult to enforce, and many drivers failed to abide by these rules. Officer Clinton Riggs, a Tulsa native and police officer, had begun developing a sign that he hoped would alleviate these problems. He also wanted to assign clear blame in the event of a collision and hoped his sign would make liability clear.
The original yield sign was keystone shaped and read “Yield Right of Way” in black letters on a bright background. Originally, yellow was used because reflective material was not yet available and yellow was the most visible color at night. Within a year of the sign’s posting, accident rates dropped dramatically, and drivers learned to approach the intersection with caution. Inspired by the success of the original sign, Tulsa posted more yield signs and spread the word to neighboring cities.