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Road Stop Signs
Road stop signs are traffic signs, usually erected at road junctions, that instruct drivers to stop and then to proceed only if the way ahead is clear. In South African legislation the Act states that “The stop regulatory sign imposes a mandatory requirement that the driver of a vehicle shall stop such vehicle with its front end in line with such sign, or, if a stop line marking is used in conjunction with such sign in the prescribed manner, immediately behind such stop line, and that such driver shall not proceed until it is safe to do so.”. Road stop signs in most English speaking countries and in Europe comprise a red octagon with a white border and with the word STOP in white letters. This particular road sign was first used in the United States and was adopted internationally because of its distinctive shape. Road stop signs are found all over the world, though in Europe they tend to be used far more sparingly than in North America. Most European intersections lacking traffic lights are controlled by give way signs or equivalent road markings, or are replaced by mini traffic circles. Road stop signs are generally restricted on the principle that familiarity breeds contempt to situations where coming to a dead stop is absolutely essential because of poor visibility. These signs may be accompanied by a yield sign (to yield when turning left for example) or by a number that depicts the number of roads that converge at that particular stop street.
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