11/01/2021 Stop Sign: What Does It Mean?

Home » US Road Signs: Traffic Sign Encyclopedia » Stop Sign: What Does It Mean?

Road Sign Encyclopedia

Stop
sign:
what
does it
mean?
Discover the Stop sign.
Meaning, definition,
shape, location, color,
and more.

Tell me more

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11/01/2021 Stop Sign: What Does It Mean?

A stop sign is a regulatory sign

designed to let drivers know that
they must come to a complete
stop. Drivers must stop at the stop
line, crosswalk, or intersection,
whichever they encounter first. The
driver must yield the right-of-way to
pedestrians and approaching
vehicles before proceeding. The
driver should only proceed when it's
safe to do so.

Shape: Stop signs are

the only traffic

octagonal (eight signs that are

octagonal
sided) (eight sided).

This regulatory
traffic sign is often

Location:
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found at
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Location: Stop Sign: What Does It Mean?

intersections
intersections where a road
doesn't have traffic
lights.

Color: red and white

Real-life examples

Stops Signs In The Wild

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Things To Remember

This sign is one of the most important and significant road traffic signs.

Similar to most countries, the US version of this sign has the word "STOP" printed in
white on a red background.

Some drivers fail to come to a complete stop at stop signs; instead, they crawl
forward at under 5 mph. This is commonly known as a "rolling stop" – but it's illegal.
State laws require you to come to a complete stop.

You can be cited for failing to come to a complete stop at a stop sign.

Frequently asked questions about stop signs

What is the stop sign shape? Stop signs are octagonal shape in most parts of the
world.

Is stop sign a warning sign? The “STOP” sign, along with a few others (the “YIELD”
sign, the “DO NOT ENTER” sign, and the “WRONG WAY” sign), is a regulatory sign.
Other regulatory signs are usually rectangular and have a black legend and border on
a white background, according to the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices
MUTCD.

What color is a stop sign? Red. It's been the standard for about 60 years (since
1954. Before then, the octagonal "STOP" traffic sign was yellow, with black letters.

When should you start slowing down for a stop sign? You must always allow
adequate time and distance to stop safely. There's no single answer, as the exact
amount of time/distance you need to stop will always depend on a lot of factors, such
as road conditions, the weather, and your speed. You should start slowing down at
least 150 feet before the stop sign.

How close to a stop sign can you park? According to the Uniform Vehicle Code UVC
and Model Traffic Ordinance, the standard for most local jurisdictions, no person shall
stand or park a vehicle, whether occupied or not, except momentarily to pick up or
discharge a passenger or passenger, within 30 feet upon the approach to any flashing
signal, Stop sign, Yield sign or traffic-control signal located at the side of a roadway.

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Who designed the stop sign? The Stop sign was designed by William Phelps Eno, the
founder of the Eno Transportation Foundation, in 1900.

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