How to *Avoid a Stop Sign Ticket*

Stopping at a posted Stop Sign can be confusing and often times an annoying part of driving because they are everywhere. For these reasons, getting a Stop Sign Ticket is one of the most common Traffic Citations there is and ranks up there with “Speeding” and “Red Light” tickets.

As you are driving and approach the next Stop Sign follow these tips and avoid getting pulled over by the Police and getting a Stop Sign Ticket:

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Limit line/Stop Line
   
   There is a white painted line at almost every Stop Sign called the “Limit Line” or “Stop Line”. The law states that you must come to a full complete stop behind the limit line.
   The limit line is located 2 or 3 feet either in front or behind the sign but could be located right at the sign.
   
   If there is NO limit line visible then simply make sure you come to a full complete stop at least 3 feet before the Stop Sign.
   The best way to make sure you come to a full complete stop is to count “1001, 1002, and 1003”. Then proceed through the Stop Sign when it’s clear.

2. Two way Stop Signs
   
   Many intersections only have a “2 way” Stop Sign which means that traffic in any of the two opposing directions only must stop. It also means that traffic in the other opposing directions DO NOT have to stop.
   It’s important to make sure you realize that cross traffic doesn’t have the stop. It’s easy to make a mistake here because drivers forget that the cross traffic do not have to stop so they pull out in front of the oncoming traffic.

3. Four way Stop Signs
   
   A ‘four-way Stop Sign’ is the most confusing intersection and if other cars are also there then what do you do?
   
   If you arrived first at the Stop Sign then you may proceed through fist. If another car arrives at the same time and that car is to your right then you must “Yield the Right-of-Way” to the other driver.

4. Yield the right of Way
   
   Yielding the right-of-way simply means that the car to your right has the right to proceed first.
   If you arrive first before the car on your right you may proceed first.
   If you are to the other car’s right then that car must Yield the Right-of-Way to you.
   
   Often times other drivers are impatient or they are not courteous and proceed through the Stop Sign out of turn. This is a violation of the law and they can be cited for “Failure to Yield the right-of Way” if a Police Officer is monitoring the Stop Sign.

5. Pedestrians
   
   As a driver you must Yield the Right-of-Way to all pedestrians.

6. Bicyclists
   
   If you are riding a bicycle and come to a Stop Sign you must make a full and complete Stop. A Bicyclist must obey all the same traffic laws that a car has to obey.

Tips & Warnings

• This article also posted on Triond.com and Buskisa.com by Kaoss / Kaoss1

[missnye]

on 11/19/2009 I could have used this advice a couple months ago. How about some tips on avoiding a ticket AFTER you have been pulled over?

[hobartian]

on 10/23/2009 Good points on How to Avoid a Stop Sign Ticket. Defensive, courteous driving and paying attention can prevent intersection accidents. Too bad, there are those who choose to ignore the rules. People forget that driving is not a right but a privilege earned through training, licensing and maintaining standards.