Did you know that 70% of all crashes are caused by stop sign violations?

If you drive in an urban area or area with a high-traffic volume, you may use and see a lot of stop signs. Safely abiding by these signs is critical for your safety and that of other drivers on the road.

For safe motorists, obeying a traffic stop sign is second nature, not even needing to think about it. If that describes you, great, but if not, keep reading for tips and common mistakes to ensure you’re truly paying attention when you see one. 

1. Look For Stop Signs Early

If you look for stop signs early, you won’t have to brake suddenly or make a last-minute stop. Instead, you can slow down gradually as you approach the intersection. This will help you stay in control of your vehicle and avoid potential accidents.

When driving, always be on the lookout for stop signs at intersections. Stop signs are there to keep you and other drivers safe, so never ignore them. Obeying stop signs is essential to obeying traffic laws and keeping everyone safe on the road.

If you fail to yield the right of way or stop at a stop sign and cause an accident, you may be found at fault. A car accident lawyer at hortonmendez.com can help you determine if you are liable for the accident and the damages caused.

2. Anticipate the Need to Stop

At intersections, it is important to anticipate the need to stop. This means that you should be prepared to stop long before you reach the stop sign.

This will give you plenty of time to brake, and it will also give you time to look for oncoming traffic. If you wait until the last moment to stop, you may not be able to stop in time, and you could cause an accident.

3. Come to a Complete Stop

When coming to a stop at an intersection with a stop sign, be sure to come to a complete stop before the stop line. This will ensure you are able to see any oncoming traffic and proceed safely.

Additionally, drivers who do not stop may be ticketed by law enforcement.

4. Recognize the Kind of Intersection

There are many different types of intersections, and it is important to be aware of the type of intersection when stopped at a stop sign.

Four-way intersections are the most common type of intersection, and stop signs are typically placed at the corners of the intersection.

Two-way intersections have stop signs on one side of the intersection, and yield signs on the other side. T-intersections have a stop sign or yield sign at the end of the T.

Roundabouts are intersections where traffic flows in a circle around a central island. Traffic in the roundabout has the right-of-way, and vehicles entering the roundabout must yield to traffic already in the circle.

5. Yield the Right-Of-Way

When you come to a stop sign at an intersection, you must yield the right of way to any cars that are already at the intersection. If there are no cars at the intersection, then you may proceed. Remember, yield means to let the other person go first.

Keeping Everyone Safe on the Road

Obeying stop signs at intersections is important for maintaining a safe traffic flow and avoiding accidents. By following these tips, you can help keep everyone safe on the road.

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