Full Notification

Failing to stop at a stop sign or not properly stopping at a stop sign is one of the leading causes of accidents.  Being attentive and making a complete stop at a stop sign before proceeding obviously reduces the potential to be in an accident.  Stopping at the familiar red octagon provides the driver an opportunity to assess other traffic, pedestrians and bicyclists in the area before proceeding.  This assessment also allows the driver to view if other drivers, pedestrians and bicyclists are paying attention as they approach an intersection or enter a crosswalk.  

 

Remember – stopping in the crosswalk is not a proper stop.  Ensure you stop prior to the crosswalk.    

 

Occasionally, a moment of decision does occur when two or more vehicles arrive at an intersection that has multiple stop signs for traffic coming in different directions.  Generally, the driver who arrives first and stops, continues first.  If two or more drivers arrive simultaneously, generally the driver on the left must yield the right of way to the driver on the far right.  The ability to reduce the likelihood of being in an accident given these circumstances also increases by practicing attentiveness, patience, and courtesy.  Can you wait or wave the other drivers through if there are a brief, multiple moments of uncertainty?  Yes.

 

The term “rolling stop” is not stopping and is illegal.  An automobile must come to a complete stop before proceeding.  A “rolling stop” is dangerous due to other drivers, pedestrians, and bicyclists assuming that a vehicle is coming to a complete stop and may lead them to move into the path of the vehicle that did not completely stop.  

 

Operation STOP in Missouri asks drivers to Stop, Think, Observe and then Proceed.  This simple use of the word STOP sums up how to avoid being in an accident at one of Sheboygan’s many intersections.  Please practice STOP at our STOP signs.

 

This past week the City of Sheboygan did have a slight uptick in the number of accidents compared to last year at this time.  A 2.39% increase in the number of accidents with our total numbers for the year is 386.  Join the effort – practice responsible and safe driving and let’s have a decrease together.