Stop sign query

The Black Oil

I finished driving lessons a month ago or so. It'll be a little while before I take the test. I wanted to check something with you guys re behaviour/procedures at stop signs.

IIRC, my instructor had me stopping completely at stop signs, which seems right and appropriate. Stop, check, proceed if clear. Anecdotally, I reckon a lot of qualified drivers don't do this - they may pause a little, but don't necessarily come to a complete stop even if stuff is coming, some bruise on.

Anyway, from the point of view of the test, I'm following what my instructor said. Next bit is tricky as I can't remember fully. Do you put it back into neutral and put on your handbrake in such situations, when you stop at the sign (assuming you are not on a hill or in a queue at a stop sign)? I honestly can't remember him say to do this. There was definitely emphasis on stopping completely and being observant, but I don't think handbrake and neutral applied on the flat. I'll go back to him for a few top up lessons before the test, but I thought I'd run it by you guys in the meantime.

no, you don't want to be holding up the place if it's clear
switch back into first and go

Mr. Presentable

Stop at a stop sign.

Normally there is no need to take the car out of gear and put on the handbrake - you're only going to be stopped for a few seconds.

The Black Oil

Thank you.

Lon Dubh

My instructor told me to stop fully at a stop sign for a minimum of 2 seconds (count it in your head). If you go through without stopping it can be an automatic fail. Sometimes it would be a Grade 2, if the way was clear and you slowed down a lot and just crept out a little, but basically not stopping is risking an automatic fail.

**Timbuk2**

You have to fully stop, not just slow right down, but if it's clear you can move off straight again - you don't have to wait a minimum time, or apply your handbrake (if it isn't necessary), or switch into neutral. I would keep it in first, and be ready to go - it is up to you if you want to apply the handbrake.

For yield signs, you can slow right down but don't have to stop if you can see the way is clear. If the way isn't clear, then you can of course stop, but it isn't a requirement, whereas failure to stop completely at a stop sign will result in a Grade 3 fault (fail).

Wishbone Ash

Some people also rightly claim that there is poor visability at many junctions when stopped at STOP signs but it's perfectly legal to come to a complete stop and then move forward to gain a better view of oncoming traffic.

There's no need to wait 2 seconds. All vehicles make a distinct little "jerk" when they physically stop. Once this happens you can begin moving again even if it's only half a second.

J_R

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

Some people also rightly claim that there is poor visability at many junctions when stopped at STOP signs but it's perfectly legal to come to a complete stop and then move forward to gain a better view of oncoming traffic.

The reason why the white line is a distance from the junction is that you stop out of the danger zone, then creep slowly forward into possible danger.

Just one example, if it is a narrow road with an obstruction right on the corner, a large vehicle when turning in will have to encroach onto the 'wrong' side of the road. The line (or post) is placed at such a distance that the vehicle should have regained its correct side by that point.

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

All vehicles make a distinct little "jerk" when they physically stop. Once this happens you can begin moving again even if it's only half a second.

That is a very important instruction, because quite a lot of people believe that a very slow creep is a STOP. (I have had quite a few arguments that they did stop, when in fact they had not).

However, being a little pedantic, the terminology is wrong. My pupils never come to a halt with a "Jerk". I always strived to get them to come to a smooth halt. . Therefore I used the expressions, after the (smooth) stop, the car will "LIFT" or "sit back on its suspension". All cars give that distinctive movement.

Also counting seconds is totally completely unnecessary. Go if clear, waiting an unnecessary second or two might result in missing the opportunity.

The Black Oil

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

All vehicles make a distinct little "jerk" when they physically stop. Once this happens you can begin moving again even if it's only half a second.

J_R wrote: »

That is a very important instruction, because quite a lot of people believe that a very slow creep is a STOP. (I have had quite a few arguments that they did stop, when in fact they had not).

However, being a little pedantic, the terminology is wrong. My pupils never come to a halt with a "Jerk". I always strived to get them to come to a smooth halt. . Therefore I used the expressions, after the (smooth) stop, the car will "LIFT" or "sit back on its suspension". All cars give that distinctive movement.

I've definitely been doing this alright, though I agree 'jerk' isn't perhaps the right word. It's not a lurch, either. Don't know what you'd call it.

Thanks again for the feedback. I'll keep up the habit anyway. Also trying to avoid waving pedestrians on by hand as that's a no, no. Eye contact only...