A rolling stop occurs when a driver slows down but fails to stop completely at either a stop sign or a red traffic light. Instead of halting entirely, the driver continues to move at a slow pace before proceeding through the intersection. While they might seem like minor traffic infractions, rolling stops can be highly dangerous and lead to injurious accidents.
Legally, a complete stop means that a vehicle’s wheels come to a full halt, and its driver checks for oncoming traffic and pedestrians before proceeding. A rolling stop, however, involves merely reducing speed and not stopping fully. This practice is a violation of traffic laws and can lead to legal and financial consequences, in addition to an elevated accident risk.
The hazards caused by rolling stops
What’s the big deal? Rolling stops increase a risk of harm in the following ways:
- Reduced reaction time: One of the primary dangers of a rolling stop is reduced reaction time for the driver. By not coming to a complete stop, a driver may not adequately assess the intersection for other vehicles, cyclists or pedestrians. This increases the risk of collisions, as the driver may not be able to react in time to avoid an accident.
- Violation of right-of-way: Rolling stops can lead to violations of right-of-way rules. Drivers who do not come to a complete stop may proceed through an intersection when it is not their turn, causing confusion and increasing the likelihood of accidents. This disregard for right-of-way rules can create dangerous situations, especially in busy intersections.
- False sense of security: Drivers who habitually perform rolling stops may develop a false sense of security, believing that slowing down is sufficient to avoid accidents. This complacency can lead to careless driving behavior, further increasing the risk of traffic violations and collisions.
In a nutshell, rolling stops are dangerous and should be avoided. Unfortunately, many drivers engage in this behavior regardless. Those who are harmed as a result of such negligence are usually in a strong position to take legal action accordingly.