by Long Island Attorney Paul A. Lauto, Esq.
Perhaps one of the most common traffic control violations on our roadways today, is the failure of a motor vehicle driver to stop at a stop sign. All too often drivers roll through stop signs, merely slow down as they pass a stop sign or even drive straight through. This traffic violation seems to occur more frequently in neighborhoods or other locations where drivers believe nobody will see them. Notwithstanding, stop signs are carefully located with good reason to protect and safeguard the well being of drivers and pedestrians alike.
In New York State, the importance and necessity of stopping at all stop signs is codified in the Vehicle and Traffic Law at section 1172(a). The law specifies the requirement to stop at all stop signs by stating, "Except when directed to proceed by a police officer, every driver of a vehicle approaching a stop sign shall stop..." In other words, stop means stop!
In the event that a driver is cited for not following this simple "stop means stop" law, the penalty is 3 points on one's license, a $150.00 fine plus surcharge and up to 15 days in jail. If the same law is violated a second time within 18 months the penalty increases the fine to $300 plus surcharge and the potential jail time up to 45 days. A third violation within 18 months increases the fine to $450 plus surcharge and the potential jail time up to 90 days.
However, drivers should not just obey stop signs because of the penalty by law. Stop signs must be obeyed in order to preserve the safety and well being of the public at large. A prime example is when a driver passes a stop sign in a neighborhood that frequently has children at play. All it takes is one little driver distraction or even a stolen glance at a text message, let alone passing a stop sign, to result in what could be a tragedy with a neighborhood child. I can't think of anything that can be possibly gained in the two seconds saved by not bothering to come to a full stop at a stop sign, that could ever justify such a completely avoidable tragedy. The exercise of patience on our roadways is not only virtuous, it is a necessity.
Long Island lawyer
Paul A. Lauto, Esq.
(631) 928-1430
www.liattorney.com
Perhaps one of the most common traffic control violations on our roadways today, is the failure of a motor vehicle driver to stop at a stop sign. All too often drivers roll through stop signs, merely slow down as they pass a stop sign or even drive straight through. This traffic violation seems to occur more frequently in neighborhoods or other locations where drivers believe nobody will see them. Notwithstanding, stop signs are carefully located with good reason to protect and safeguard the well being of drivers and pedestrians alike.
In New York State, the importance and necessity of stopping at all stop signs is codified in the Vehicle and Traffic Law at section 1172(a). The law specifies the requirement to stop at all stop signs by stating, "Except when directed to proceed by a police officer, every driver of a vehicle approaching a stop sign shall stop..." In other words, stop means stop!
In the event that a driver is cited for not following this simple "stop means stop" law, the penalty is 3 points on one's license, a $150.00 fine plus surcharge and up to 15 days in jail. If the same law is violated a second time within 18 months the penalty increases the fine to $300 plus surcharge and the potential jail time up to 45 days. A third violation within 18 months increases the fine to $450 plus surcharge and the potential jail time up to 90 days.
However, drivers should not just obey stop signs because of the penalty by law. Stop signs must be obeyed in order to preserve the safety and well being of the public at large. A prime example is when a driver passes a stop sign in a neighborhood that frequently has children at play. All it takes is one little driver distraction or even a stolen glance at a text message, let alone passing a stop sign, to result in what could be a tragedy with a neighborhood child. I can't think of anything that can be possibly gained in the two seconds saved by not bothering to come to a full stop at a stop sign, that could ever justify such a completely avoidable tragedy. The exercise of patience on our roadways is not only virtuous, it is a necessity.
Long Island lawyer
Paul A. Lauto, Esq.
(631) 928-1430
www.liattorney.com
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