Do you stop at STOP signs?
Do you stop at STOP signs? I mean do you really stop? It seems there are a whole lot of people on the road these days who don't seem to know the meaning of the word STOP.
Recently I was waiting in my car in a parking lot by the back entrance of our town's Wal-Mart store. From where I was sitting I could see the road leading out of the parking lot onto the street behind the store. The entire time I was there I watched that intersection and I didn't see even one car actually stop at the STOP sign before they turned out onto the street. Not one! In fact, several people didn't even slow down but just kept right on going.
I'll concede that there was little to no traffic on that back street at the time, but I've had many opportunities to observe drivers at that particular intersection and barely slowing down at the STOP sign is the norm rather than the exception. Besides, "Stop unless there's nobody coming" isn't the way the law is written.
Maybe it's because I'm the parent of a cop that I notice these things, or maybe it's because I'm a law-abiding citizen who actually does stop at STOP signs, but the drivers' collective behavior today just really rubbed me the wrong way.
What part of "STOP" don't you people understand?
Read on. (Don't stop now!)
Recently I was waiting in my car in a parking lot by the back entrance of our town's Wal-Mart store. From where I was sitting I could see the road leading out of the parking lot onto the street behind the store. The entire time I was there I watched that intersection and I didn't see even one car actually stop at the STOP sign before they turned out onto the street. Not one! In fact, several people didn't even slow down but just kept right on going.
I'll concede that there was little to no traffic on that back street at the time, but I've had many opportunities to observe drivers at that particular intersection and barely slowing down at the STOP sign is the norm rather than the exception. Besides, "Stop unless there's nobody coming" isn't the way the law is written.
Maybe it's because I'm the parent of a cop that I notice these things, or maybe it's because I'm a law-abiding citizen who actually does stop at STOP signs, but the drivers' collective behavior today just really rubbed me the wrong way.
What part of "STOP" don't you people understand?
Read on. (Don't stop now!)
STOP and see what's on this page.
- STOP sign here, STOP sign there.
- STOP in the Name of the Law! (What does the law really say?)
- STOP: The Dictionary Definition
- STOP! Before it's Too Late
- STOP Signs According to Wikipedia
- STOP at that sign!
- STOP for a laugh.
- STOP and Participate in our Poll
- My Favorite STOP Sign Accessory
- STOP! (In the Name of Love)
- STOP and Face the Music
- STOPwear for Everyone in the Family
- STOP and Shop in the Stop Sign Shop
- Go for the Gold STOP Sign
- Last STOP: Reader Feedback
- One more thing before you go . . .
STOP in the Name of the Law! (What does the law really say?)
Stop sign laws from all 50 states.
From US Legal.com, here's the Rolling Stop Law and Legal Definition:
"A rolling stop is a term used in traffic law to refer to when a vehicle fails to come to a complete stop. A complete stop is when there is no forward momentum and the needle on the speedometer is at 0. In a rolling stop, the car wheels are still in motion and the car is moving at less than 5 m.p.h. Failing to come to a complete stop at a stop sign is a traffic violation governed by state laws, which vary by state. The longer the stop, the more discernable it is to the naked eye, giving a motorist a better chance of avoiding a ticket."
Need to review the stop sign laws for your state?
Find your state's traffic laws here.
"A rolling stop is a term used in traffic law to refer to when a vehicle fails to come to a complete stop. A complete stop is when there is no forward momentum and the needle on the speedometer is at 0. In a rolling stop, the car wheels are still in motion and the car is moving at less than 5 m.p.h. Failing to come to a complete stop at a stop sign is a traffic violation governed by state laws, which vary by state. The longer the stop, the more discernable it is to the naked eye, giving a motorist a better chance of avoiding a ticket."
Need to review the stop sign laws for your state?
Find your state's traffic laws here.
STOP: The Dictionary Definition
It's hard to argue with Mr. Webster.
In looking at the entry for the word "stop" in the online Merriam-Webster dictionary, we see first that "stop" is a verb, an action word. It isn't until 6a that we find the definition that suits our sign:"6 a: to arrest the progress or motion of : cause to halt (stopped the car)"
Under the synonyms section we read this:
"STOP applies to action or progress or to what is operating or progressing and may imply suddenness or definiteness (stopped at the red light)."
Aha! Might we also insert "stop sign" in place of "red light?" I think so. I like that word "definiteness" in there, implying that one should definitely stop at the STOP sign and should be sure the car definitely comes to a complete, definite stop.
Hey, it isn't just me. It's the definition - and it's the law! (Keep reading.)
STOP! Before it's Too Late
The life you save may be your own.
Drive safely. Don't let this happen to you.
curated content from Flickr
STOP Signs According to Wikipedia
More information than you probably want to know, but an interesting read.
Some facts about stop signs from Wikipedia.- A stop sign is a traffic sign, usually erected at road junctions, that instructs drivers to stop and then to proceed only if the way ahead is clear.
- Stop signs are not generally required at every intersection, but they are often used to control conflicting traffic movements at dangerous intersections which are not busy enough to justify the installation of either traffic lights or, especially in Europe, a roundabout.
- Standard sized stop signs are 30 inches (762 mm) long with a 3/4 inch (19 mm) white line around the edge. The letters of the stop sign are all 10 inches (254 mm) tall.
- Stop signs originated in Michigan in 1915. The first had black letters on a white background and were somewhat smaller than the modern one.
- The appearance of stop signs was modified many times through the years. The most drastic change came in 1954, when the sign gained its white-on-red color.
- Most countries actually use the English word "stop" on a red sign. The few known exceptions to the white on red octagonal sign with the word "stop" include Israel (which uses a solid white octagon, on a red octagon), Japan (which uses the local word for Stop in white type on an inverted solid red triangle), and Zimbabwe (which uses a disc bearing a black cross and the word STOP).
STOP at that sign!
Don't roll on through it like most of these people did.
Stop: Complete cessation of movement. What part of "complete" don't these people understand?
Turns out I'm not the only one frustrated with people not obeying traffic laws. Check out these videos of drivers ignoring the big, red sign.
Turns out I'm not the only one frustrated with people not obeying traffic laws. Check out these videos of drivers ignoring the big, red sign.
curated content from YouTube
STOP for a laugh.
This guy STOPped - and probably wished he didn't.
STOP and Participate in our Poll
Tell the truth, now. (It's anonymous.)
Loading poll. Please Wait...
My Favorite STOP Sign Accessory
Got a dent in that back garage wall? Didn't stop in time?
PARK N PLACE
Never drive too far into the garage again (and make sure that you drive in far enough to get the door closed).
Flexible pole
Reflective sign with flashing light
Easy set-up: simple assembly requires no tools
Economical
Batteries included
STOP! (In the Name of Love)
The Supremes said it best, musically speaking.
STOP and Face the Music
"Stop" and "Don't Stop" in Video and Song
Download your favorite STOP songs, and all of your favorite music, here.
curated content from YouTube
STOPwear for Everyone in the Family
STOP sign apparel for everybody. Even the dog. Wear it as a reminder.
(What a great gift for someone who just got a ticket for running a STOP sign!)
STOP and Shop in the Stop Sign Shop
It's amazing what you can do with a stop sign.
Teach children with them, wipe your feet on them, even hold up your pants with them. Check out these fun and practical stop signs.
Stop & Slow Paddle, 18"
Paddle, Staff and couplings.All assemblies arrive more...0 points
Aluminum Sign - Stop - .080mm Thick
TRAFFIC CONTROL SIGN Top quality relective signs m more...0 points
MINIATURE STOP SIGN hwy caution SO CUTE
MINATURE STOP sign. A BRAND NEW SIGN!! Made of thi more...0 points
Stop Sign Die-Cut Photographic Magnet
Another good-looking fridge magnet from Paper Hous more...0 points
Banner with Stop Sign
Banner with Stop Sign For some wandering patients, more...0 points
Art Poster Print - Sign - Stop - Artist: Anonymous - Poster Size: 18 X 18 inches
"Sign - Stop" by Anonymous High quality more...0 points
Z22 STOP SIGN BELT BUCKLE
STOP SIGN BELT BUCKLEBRAND NEW BELT BUCKLE!!BELT B more...0 points
Bungalow Coco STOP Sign Shaped Doormat, #86902
Bungalow's Coco Stop Sign doormat make the perfect more...0 points
Floor Signs - Stop
NON-SKID SAFETY FLOOR SIGNS Effectively convey saf more...0 points
Hi Way Safety -- HI WAY SAFETY STOPSLOW STOP/SLOW SIGN W/ WOOD HANDLE -- Signs Safety
This stop-slow sign is useful around construction more...0 points
Go for the Gold STOP Sign
(The Silver's nice, too.)
Stop Sign Charm by Rembrandt Charms
Amazon Price: (as of 12/28/2009)
Rembrandt Stop Sign charm. Choose from gold plated, sterling silver, white gold, or yellow gold.
The charm measures 0.63 inches. The flat charm is hand-polished with a High Polish finish. All Rembrandt Charms are guaranteed for life.
Last STOP: Reader Feedback
Thanks for stopping by! Leave your comments here.
And remember what you've learned on this page whenever you're tempted to roll on through one of those big, red and white, hexagonal signs, the ones that simply say "STOP."
submit
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Reply
- stargazer00 stargazer00 Jun 18, 2009 @ 10:51 pm
- Long ago and far away in Driver's Ed they taught us that in a complete stop the car should actually rock back. I try to always do that but I have noticed that most people do a rolling stop nowadays.
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Reply
- john john Jun 9, 2009 @ 4:03 pm
- With all due respect. Those people running the stop sign in the walmart parking lot are not violating any laws. Check out this link. http://blog.seattlepi.com/seattle911/archives/161138.asp
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- JaguarJulie JaguarJulie May 4, 2009 @ 6:45 pm
- Ah Susan -- I was thinking STOP after the last week with all the lenses I've been working on! Calgon take me away.
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- Davestoys Davestoys Aug 25, 2008 @ 8:03 am
- This is a Lens I would like for the people that live in Loxahatchee to read twice. I can not understand why it is so hard for people to just STOP. I have seen it so many times out here. They will act like it is just not there. Then the big crash and its what did I do?
Another great Lens (maybe some billboards would help)but then again maybe not lol,
Dave
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- gurneywagon gurneywagon Apr 23, 2008 @ 3:36 pm
- I think you've found the perfect way to vent...love the creativity & research you put into this!
Also, thank you for visiting my lens & favoriting me..I appreciate it.
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Reply
- SusanVillasLewis SusanVillasLewis Apr 15, 2008 @ 8:51 am
- Nice idea and well done!! I love my car (and myself) too much to not stop.
One more thing before you go . . .
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Susan52 enjoys writing, blogging, and making lenses on Squidoo and is proud to be a member of the Giant Squid 100 Club! The true loves of her life are... (more)
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