ORLANDO, Fla. – Ah, the great debate—what exactly does “STOP” mean at a stop sign?
For some drivers, it seems to be more of a polite suggestion rather than an actual requirement. You know the move: the slow roll, the slight brake tap, the “I looked, so it’s fine” mentality.
But here’s the shocking truth — STOP actually means STOP.
Not “kind of stop.”
Not “slow down and hope for the best.”
Not “I didn’t see anyone, so it doesn’t count.”
Nope. It means your vehicle must come to a complete and total rest with zero forward movement. Wild concept, right?
If an intersection wanted you to yield, it would have a yield sign (mind-blowing, I know). Instead, that big red octagon is pretty clear on its message. And here’s the kicker — Florida law actually has two parts when it comes to stop signs:
- First, you must actually stop. (Revolutionary, I know.)
- Second, you must yield the right of way to any vehicles (or pedestrians) you’re supposed to be stopping for.
So, just to clarify for those in the back: Stop means stop. Go means go. No rolling, no guessing and definitely no treating it like an optional inconvenience. Let’s make full stops cool again!
If you have a traffic question for Trooper Steve, submit it here.