To bring New York State code in line with federal highway design standards, the state has decided to move forward with requiring thousands of “stop ahead” signs at intersections that previously had none, even at intersections where you can see the stop sign ahead of you. But the change is actually required because federal standards now require a graphic “stop ahead” sign in lieu of signs with the equivalent text. Residents of Syracuse were adopting the new code, but grudgingly. Dave Cooper, with the Onondaga County Transportation Department says, “It’s definitely necessary for liability reasons, we have to conform to the codes.”