| Ugh, you see the flashing red lights in the rear view | | | | past the crosswalk, impeding the pedestrians path. |
| mirror. As you pull to the side of the road, and | | | | With the increased awareness of the risks for |
| compose yourself and prepare to get your license, | | | | pedestrians and school zones, states are addressing |
| insurance, and registration, you feel your frustration | | | | the need for better engineering to increase visibility |
| begin. You ask yourself why did I roll through that | | | | and effectiveness of traffic signs and signals. |
| stop sign and agonize on how this will set you back. | | | | A recent call to action in Florida included strengthening |
| Is rolling through a stop sign really a big deal? Yes. | | | | education to raise awareness on stop sign laws and |
| - According to the National Traffic Safety | | | | penalties for violations. Running a stop sign or rolling |
| Administration, stop sign violations are associated | | | | through it is a moving violation in the state of Florida |
| with nearly two hundred deaths and 17,000 injuries | | | | that now requires traffic school or basic driver |
| each year. | | | | improvement class. In addition to traffic school, there |
| The National Safe Kids Campaign, in conjunction with | | | | is increased enforcement and enactment with |
| FedEx, conducted a national survey of motorist | | | | targeted enforcement campaigns and stricter |
| behavior at stop signs in October of 2003. The | | | | penalties and fines. |
| results of the study were alarming. They found that | | | | So as the officer hands you your ticket for rolling |
| child pedestrians were at most risk with in a school | | | | through the stop sign you ask yourself...what next? |
| zone or residential neighborhood, including: | | | | You will need to pay your fine and register for a |
| - 45% of vehicles surveyed, violated stop signs and | | | | traffic school class. The class will be four hours and |
| failed to come to a complete stop were in these | | | | will cover new laws, updated traffic information and |
| areas. | | | | review safe driving strategies. The class is mandatory |
| - Of the 55% of vehicles who did come to a | | | | in the state of Florida for drivers who fail to come to |
| complete stop at intersections, 25% stopped in or | | | | a complete stop before the marked line or crosswalk. |