Stop Sign

Question

Kathy asked:
I received a ticket this evening for failure to stop at a stop sign. Also from the left came a man on a bicycle and was hit by my failure to stop at the stop sign. The man did not slow down nor reduce his speed coming into the intersection. What laws apply to intersections on a bicycle?

Answer

Almost all of the laws that apply to drivers of other vehicles apply to bicyclists. Bicycles are vehicles.

When facing a stop sign, a driver must stop and wait until the intersection is clear to proceed.

s. 316.123Vehicle Entering Stop or Yield Intersection

(1) The right-of-way at an intersection may be indicated by stop signs or yield signs ….

(2)(a) Except when directed to proceed by a police officer or traffic control signal, every driver of a vehicle approaching a stop intersection indicated by a stop sign shall stop at a clearly marked stop line, but if none, before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection or, if none, then at the point nearest the intersecting roadway where the driver has a view of approaching traffic on the intersecting roadway before entering the intersection. After having stopped, the driver shall yield the right-of-way to any vehicle which has entered the intersection from another highway or which is approaching so closely on said highway as to constitute an immediate hazard during the time when the driver is moving across or within the intersection.

All drivers are required to exercise due care when approaching an intersection.

s. 316.183Unlawful Speed

(1) No person shall drive a vehicle on a highway at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent under the conditions and having regard to the actual and potential hazards then existing. In every event, speed shall be controlled as may be necessary to avoid colliding with any person, vehicle, or other conveyance or object on or entering the highway in compliance with legal requirements and the duty of all persons to use due care.

(4) The driver of every vehicle shall, consistent with the requirements of subsection (1), drive at an appropriately reduced speed when:

(a) Approaching and crossing an intersection ….

1 Comment on “Stop Sign

  1. Funny how Kathy fails to mention whether the cyclist had a stop sign as well. It’s only a pertinent detail….

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