Venting: $330 Fine for Rolling through Stop Sign

Just want to vent. Was approaching a road and instead of stopping at a stop sign went through at slow pace and now given a $330 fine in Victoria and 3 demerit points. I know I'm in the wrong but it's a stretch to fine people for slowing down instead of a complete stop.

These cops really do show no care. Don't know if I can even be bothered fighting it and don't get a warning. No prior speeding issues in last 2 years. Any chance of leniency?

Anyone else cop a fine for not coming to complete stop?

Comments

  • +133

    no chance

    it's a stop sign , you have to come to a complete stop for like 3 seconds and look right and left

    i've seen cops camping on stop sign

    • +22

      camping

      • +49

        Aimbot too

      • +1

        Throw a Semtex or C4 in the corner they are toast. If they are using Riot Shield throw
        a Thermite it sticks to the shield. Good huntin'.

    • +34

      the "3 second rule" is a furphy - or is in NSW, at least. "… you must stop completely before
      reaching the STOP line, and as close as possible to the line" is the instruction. There is no "wait for three seconds". (p86, www.rms.nsw.gov.au/documents/roads/licence/road_users_handbo…)

      Same in Vic - from the Victorian handbook "A driver facing a Stop sign or line must come to a complete stop." Again, nothing about "3 seconds". (p102, https://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/-/media/files/formsandpublic…)

      • +12

        Exactly. I feel people like to repeat rumours and then just builds with other people. 3 seconds is complete nonsense

        • +19

          I thought the 3 second myth came about because you wanted to make sure the examiner in the driving test definitely knew you had completely stopped.

          • +3

            @jace88: In a driving test scenario only this may make sense to ensure you do not have any disputable reason to get pinged for it. In real life, this does not need to happen and is not a rule.

            Simply stop, once the car is stopped and you evaluated the situation is clear, proceed.
            The difference between a give way and stop is very clear to an officers eyes, the car must be stationary, not creepy crawling

          • +2

            @jace88: Driving instructor advised that examiner needed to feel the momentum of the car stopping. Useful tip.

            • +3

              @Lastchancetosee: Jerk. Not an insult. A physics term.

              • @Antikythera: reminds me of the joke from M*A*S*H where Hawkeye comes in (with 'Groucho Marx get up') with "good evening ladies and germs - the ambulance pulled up with a jerk, and then I got off"

              • @Antikythera: third derivative of displacement?

                i used to know back in the day

                • +1

                  @[Deactivated]: yeah.

                  also was reminded that Snap, Crackle and Pop are the 4th, 5th and 6th derivatives respectively, not just cereal mascots.

                  • @Antikythera: wow. didn't know that. (At least I can't remember knowing it)

                    I thought you were pulling my leg.

      • +1

        used to tell myself, stop and go to first gear, you'll be safe. On the test route, there is always a stop sign on a slope.
        So Stop, First Gear, and use hand break.

        That was what I told myself all the time

      • what about the look left, right, then look left again , for the driving test

        • +1

          I think that's just crossing the street as a pedestrian :)

          That was never on my tests. It was always, ensure was to proceed is clear.

    • +4

      You don't have to stop for 3 seconds. You just must stop

      • Responded to wrong comment.

    • +3

      failed my Learners permit doing this :( guess it's zero chance. I can understand your pain though! Trust me.

      • I too failed my driver license test becuase of this reason. My speed was less than 5, and the road was completly deserted, but a rule is a rule.

  • +25

    FFS

  • +5

    Happened to me a few yrs ago, got a way with a warning
    The sign says stop for a reason

  • +50

    it's a stretch to fine people for slowing down instead of a complete stop

    Did the sign say "STOP" or "DEAD SLOW"?

    • +16

      They see me rollin'
      They constabulatin'

      • +5

        There are many instances where doing exactly what a sign tells you is actually more dangerous than applying some good ol judgement.

        Such as?

        • +12

          Not reving your Mustang over 4,000rpm???

          But it's a bit rich coming from SlavOz, considering he doesn't know how to use a roundabout

          • +3

            @pegaxs: Don't make fun of SlavOz dude.

            Anything that makes perfect sense to other road users completely baffles and annoys him.

            Such as the roundabout.

            The stop sign is gonna go right over his head… along with everything else in his general direction.

          • +26

            @SlavOz: Traffic slowing to do for roadworks has plenty of warning. First to 80, then to 40 over hundreds of metres

            We have orange light for a reason. Having a truck behind you is one of the reasons. Orange means Stop unless unsafe, truck behind is probably unsafe to stop.

            The speed limit is a maximum you can’t exceed, not a target to be maintained at all costs. It’s called driving to the conditions.

            The rule applies. Cannot turn while pedestrians crossing, there is no discretion.

            It all boils down to there is no ‘right of way’. At all times you need to follow the rules, but additionally drive in such a way that you can give way as required regardless of the rules.

          • +3

            @SlavOz:

            and you see a sudden roadworks sign flashing 40

            If the sign jumped out at you all of a sudden you should shred your license and catch the bus. Can't see signs in front of him but is able to accurately gauge the speed of vehicles behind him, what a laugh.

          • @SlavOz: Slav, you get my first ever + vote. Izvolite.

        • -2

          Having to adhere to a 60 or 70km/h speed limit which was probably designed for a retard with a car from the 1950s with sh*tty brakes and the reaction time of a sloth, thus requiring you to constantly take your eyes off the road to check you're not speeding while you aimlessly roll down the road all the way home without being able to actually use the throttle on your vehicle and hence fall asleep from boredom and the inability to drive your car with any joy whatsoever 🤣. Sorry I have an M140i and it saddens me how slow we are forced to drive in Melbourne! Sometimes I actually believe the low drone of my exhaust as it is stuck in 3rd gear, is actually its only way of crying out, "please for the love of God let me driiiiive!" 🤣

          • +5

            @sAmiZZle: The number of crashes that occur indicate that the general public cannot handle higher speed limits.

            Just because you think you can handle higher speeds safely doesn’t mean that others can as well. It’s not our fault you bought a car that is capable of excessive speed.

      • +2

        We will never lower our death toll on the roads until we actually give people permission to exercise and learn some driver discretion

        Majority of people are incapable for exercising good and safe judgement/discretion, which is why rules exist to standardise practices so people are more predictable. The number of times I've had to and have seen others break for a car entering the road from a side road….

        If a truck is right up your ass and you see a yellow light,

        Chances are, due to the size and height of the truck drivers seat, they can see ahead of you, maybe far better than you.

    • +1

      Needs to watch the start of the Fat Pizza movie

  • +29

    Did it say "STOP" or "GIVE WAY"??

    I know I'm in the wrong

    Then pay the fine…

  • +21

    Thinking of posting this deal for you. What do you think, OP? Should I?

  • Was a cop just behind you?

  • +7

    Usually there are stop signs for a reason but i have seen some that should clearly be give way signs, sight distance in approach is fine and no reason to stop. I would like to think if you got fined it was due to a real safety risk and not just being a stickler for the rules.

    • +2

      yep and this is the problem. every stop sign that is not needed undermines the importance of the stop signs that are needed

    • +4

      Then tell the local council and they will investigate removing it. I'm a traffic engineer at a council and we get requests for stop signs all the time. We're always quite strict in installing stop signs as they devalue the importance of other stop signs that are neccessary.

  • +28

    I don't think it's policed enough. There are far too many drivers ignoring basic side street laws.

    • +2

      since speed cameras there are (profanity) all traffic cops on the road writing tickets. speed isn't the only cause of accidents but the coppers don't police driving any more.

      my brother got in trouble from his new head of department for writing too many tickets once. he was writing about 75% of the departments tickets. his boss explained he was too well trained to be wasting time writing traffic infringements. my brother had a two hour commute each day in a marked patrol car and "people kept doing stupid shit" in front of him.

  • +37

    This might be of some assistance
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E2vjvaIKnr8

    • +16

      "Now sir… Would you like me to slow down, or come to a complete stop…" :D

      • Me not being the target, I actually wanted him to continue and maybe speed up.

    • +6

      Lol thanks for the laugh. Needed it

    • Don't know if I can even be bothered fighting it

      OP, Provide a link to this video in your request for review :D

    • +1

      That is a classic… and got to be the best example I have ever seen of any explanation to prove a point.

    • -3

      OMG this is police brutality because of his skin colour. This is cause for a riot and looting.

    • +1

      He gave him one for sep 11 too!

  • +39

    Just want to vent. Was approaching a road and instead of stopping at a red light I checked that there were no cars and went through at slow pace and now given a $413 fine in Victoria and 3 demerit points. I know I'm in the wrong but it's a stretch to fine people for slowing down instead of stopping at a red light.

    These cops really do show no care. Don't know if I can even be bothered fighting it and don't get a warning. No prior speeding issues in last 2 years. Any chance of leniency?
    Anyone else cop a fine for going through a red light?

    • +29

      so didn't really need to stop

      The big red "stop" sign/road rules legislation/police officer/infringement notice would all beg to differ…

    • +11

      I think you know you won't get much support on here.
      "…so didn't really need to stop…". Actually, yes you did need to stop, because there was a Stop sign.

    • +5

      if no cars on intersection , also didn't really need to stop at redlight , just go ahead right ?

    • +3

      When you were looking for cars, you didn't notice the police car sitting right there?? Can't have been looking too hard.

    • +1

      no cars seen….except for the cop car

  • +5

    Haha yeah go ahead and appeal, you have a great chance of overturning it. It's not as if the instructions for a stop sign are unclear or vague.
    Motor vehicle has to come to a complete stop. You did not stop. Hence the fine. Wish it was more financially to be honest.

    • +1

      I really wish they'd write. "Complete Stop" on the sign instead of "Stop, Unless you're going real slow"

      • they should make the signs Amber instead of Red.

  • +3

    My dad has. My brother failed his licence test coming out of the RTA car park for the same reason. Would have passed if not for that.

    No chance of leniency. That would have to have come from the cop in the first place.

    • +2

      …..This seems pretty fair! If you can't obey the road rules during your test, you've got no chance of doing it on the road!

      I, failed my 1st test for not indicating at a roadwork two-lane (one lane closed) merge. Literally at the end of the test. Like "ok you're all done once we get past the roadworks" kind of end of test. I was so pissed off at him that he wouldn't let me drive the car back haha

      • Weird, they let my brother go through the whole test and waited till they were back at the RTA to tell him he failed right at beginning!

        • +1

          That's nice of them though because it gives them more scope to give him feedback, and thus make his chances of passing next time that much greater.

  • -8

    Remember Highwaymen of old?

    Assume the only thing the traffic cops are interested in is making money.

    • Glad someone has brought this up. It is common knowledge that the fines served upon you are payed directly to the officers that did the fining. Often they'll expect you to pay it to them, cash-in-hand, at the time of infringement. If you can't, sometimes they'll even turn you over and shake you for in case any change falls out.

  • +24

    These cops really do show no care.

    Care about your pocket and inability to follow simple instructions? Or care about enforcing simple rules?

    This isn't the first time you broke the rule, it's the first time you were caught.

  • +1

    The reason why it says "STOP" not "SLOW DOWN". Good on yah.

  • +11

    it's a stretch to fine people for slowing down instead of a complete stop

    I understand you're annoyed at the fine. However, there are special signs for "slowing down instead of a complete stop" and they say "Give Way" on them. There's a reason they use a Stop Sign instead of a Give Way sign: it's to ensure you actually wait to check for traffic.

  • +15

    1> learn to drive
    2> lol you didnt see the police

    • +11

      LOL good point. If OP had come to a stop and observed the surroundings (which is the point of the sign), OP might have seen the police car.

    • +4

      Came here to say just this, how can they complain about not abiding by a stop sign when they clearly weren’t aware of their surroundings.

  • +1

    Appeal and let us know about the leniency given…

  • +6

    Firstly, good troll post.
    Secondly, this instant fail in any practical license test
    thirdly, feel free to hand back your license and retake, rolling through a stop sign and report back on your experience

  • +6

    Just want to vent.

    No, you just want to stop.

  • +3

    The number of comments saying you should have come to a complete halt?
    I bet every one of them have done what the op did at some time, I know I have.
    Fines are no fun… been there done that including one that was totally ficticious.
    Thats life.. think of it as an extra tax donation and try to obey all the rules in the future, it's cheaper :-)

    • +5

      I have no memory of ever doing that…

      Though even if I had, that's completely irrelevant. If I got a fine for doing so I'd be angry at myself for being an idiot, not at the policeman for having the audacity to enforce road safety laws.

      I'm sick of people throwing hissy fits about police "generating revenue". STOP BREAKING THE LAW THEN!

    • +1

      bet every one of them have done what the op did at some time, I know I have.

      Yeah, but we didn't get caught.

      OP didn't. And I'm guessing didn't notice the marked police car watching him

    • +2

      It was drilled into me pretty well when I was under learners. It's an instant fail in the test. You's just got slack

      • -1

        Lol imagine everyone drives like how they drove during their driving test. No one will be going more than 50km/hr.

    • -4

      I find it funny (if people here aren't trolling or just putting up that nice public facade) that people really think the difference between "Stop" and "Give Way" behaviour is some big life and death situation like running a red light.

      Those roundabouts and their give way (rather than stop) law must be death traps then.

      • +3

        Stop signs are installed based on poor sightlines of oncoming traffic. If you roll through a stop sign, it's pretty much the same as rolling through a red light. Sure you could look both ways and go slowly through, but it's much safer (and a road rule) to come to a complete stop.

        Roundabouts have much greater visibility and as such are sufficient to just give way than come to a complete stop.

        • You say that as if all councils are competent at planning their intersections.

          If you can't see shit, it's dangerous regardless, even if you're fully stopped. As the road rules also say, give way means you give way, regardless of your speed.

          It's like speed limits in certain areas. I'm not arguing it's not against the law (that's just dumb) but it doesn't make it free from criticism.

          • +1

            @dufflover: Of course it doesn't make it free of criticism. If your "criticism" is going to be generic nonsense however, people don't have to accept it…

            There are no doubt many examples of unnecessary stop signs, but the fact you seemingly didn't realise that stop signs are designed to be on riskier junctions where giving way wouldn't be safe enough is pretty disturbing. (You'll probably now claim that you did know that - but your roundabout analogy doesn't work at all if you do)

            And the idea is that (generally) your view is impaired UNTIL you get to the stop sign. I.e. once you've stopped you can now see whether it's safe or not but you couldn't have known before stopping. This is very basic stuff…

            I'm not aware of these mythical junctions you're referring to where it's impossible to see if there's oncoming traffic, but I'd agree they should be redesigned.

            • @callum9999:

              the fact you seemingly didn't realise that stop signs are designed to be on riskier junctions where giving way wouldn't be safe enough is pretty disturbing. (You'll probably now claim that you did know that - but your roundabout analogy doesn't work at all if you do)

              Interesting to hear your reason for this thinking then. After all, if have never seen any of the below, then you probably do not understand how it makes no difference at a busy roundabout either.

              I'm not aware of these mythical junctions you're referring to where it's impossible to see if there's oncoming traffic

        • It's a nice theory, in practice (in Perth anyway) they seem to install stop signs everywhere except where there is poor visibility. So if you ever come across a give way sign you generally need to almost stop anyway to see enough to cross safely.

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