The Dangers of Running A Stop Signs

St. Petersburg / Clearwater Areas Problem Areas

There are several areas in the St. Petersburg / Clearwater area where drivers routinely run stop signs. Florida law requires that drivers approaching a stop sign must stop completely before the crosswalk (if present).[1] When a driver fails to stop completely, you will sometimes hear it referred to as a “California Rolling Stop.” The practice of rolling through stop signs is far more prevalent than actually just running the stop sign but is still a very dangerous practice.

In St. Petersburg / Clearwater there are several areas where motorist’s consistent failures to obey stop signs have created safety issues. Several such areas include:

1. The northbound U.S. 19 frontage road at Dimmit Dive.[2] The frontage road has a stop sign to allow traffic exiting U.S. 19 access. Exiting at this location has become dangerous because of drivers who fail to stop and are hit by drivers, traveling at speeds of up to 50 MPH exiting U.S. 19.
2. The northwest frontage road along Tyrone Boulevard in St. Petersburg has several stop signs at exiting points for the traffic from Tyrone. Drivers using the frontage road very rarely seem to stop completely. This makes for a dangerous combination when a motorist exits Tyrone.
3. The intersection of Tyrone Boulevard, 68th Street North, and the frontage road creates a very dangerous situation with the combination of two intersections at one location. Further complicating the issues at this intersection is several pedestrians that are typically present.
4. The intersection of Oakhurst Road and Antilles Drive / 137th Street North in Seminole (the fork in the road in front of Time Out Bar and Grill) is one of the more dangerous intersections in Pinellas County. I have personally encountered 4 accidents with injuries during February at or near this intersection.

Collisions Caused by the Failure to Stop?

Failing to obey stop signs is likely to create t-bone collisions. A t-bone collision is created when one vehicle pulls in front of an oncoming vehicle and is struck from the side. A t-bone collision is typically an extremely violent collision because the oncoming car is often traveling at or above the speed limit when it strikes the car that has pulled into its path. This type of collision leaves all of the occupants of both vehicles extremely vulnerable, but none more so than the occupant of the car pulling into traffic who is nearest the impact point. There is almost no protection, as the impact will usually primarily be on the door. Side airbags significantly reduce the risk of death, but cannot completely absorb massive force generated in a broadside collision.

The Expected Injuries in a T-Bone Collision

The injuries typically seen in t-bone collisions can be catastrophic. The force exerted causes the injuries in both cars to be serious. The driver of the oncoming car will typically strike the car that pulled out into traffic directly into that vehicle’s side. This produces a massive amount of force absorbed by the front end of the oncoming car. The vehicle pulling into traffic will absorb a tremendous amount of force in a relatively unprotected area of the car. The expected injuries in both vehicles include:

1. Death;
2. Concussions and other traumatic brain injuries;
3. Fractured or broken bones;
4. Spinal cord damage;
5. Neck and back injuries; and
6. Lacerations and contusions that may have been caused by either the airbags or contact with the actual components of the vehicle.

The injuries in t-bone collisions are often more severe if one vehicle is significantly larger or heavier than the other vehicle involved in the car accident.

Legal Consequences of Running a Stop Sign and Causing an Accident

Running a stop sign and causing an accident can result in severe legal repercussions. Florida law mandates that drivers come to a complete stop at a stop sign, and failure to do so not only endangers lives but also carries significant legal penalties. When a driver runs a stop sign and causes an accident, they are typically found at fault and may face hefty fines, points on their license, and increased insurance premiums. In more severe cases, especially if the accident results in serious injuries or fatalities, the driver could face criminal charges such as reckless driving or vehicular manslaughter. Beyond these penalties, the at-fault driver may also be liable for civil damages, including medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering for the victims. Understanding these legal consequences underscores the importance of obeying traffic signals to ensure the safety of all road users.

Contact Jones Law Group: Your Trusted St. Petersburg Personal Injury Attorney

Have you or a loved one been injured in an accident? Contact an experienced St. Petersburg personal injury attorney at Jones Law Group today. When you contact our office we will immediately set an appointment where you will meet your attorney and be provided with his/her personal contact information. If you do not have transportation or you cannot drive, your attorney will travel to meet you and discuss your case with you in the privacy of your own home.

Whether you were a pedestrian, a bicyclist, or the occupant of a car, motorcycle, or boat and have been injured in an accident, you should immediately call an experienced personal injury attorney in St. Petersburg at Jones Law Group at (727) 571-1333 during regular business hours or (727) 753-8657 on weekends or after regular business hours. We will evaluate your case for free and you will never pay us a dime unless we recover compensation for your injuries.

Jones Law Group
5622 Central Avenue
St. Pete, FL 33707

[1] http://www.leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&Search_String=&URL=0300-0399/0316/Sections/0316.123.html

[2] http://www.baynews9.com/content/news/baynews9/news/article.html/content/news/articles/bn9/2015/2/20/state_to_curb_stop_s.html