Stop sign

The stop sign ( in Austria and Switzerland also stop sign ) is a traffic sign which indicates the right of way at intersections and junctions and the road users prescribes to stop and give way. The octagonal plate is the only official, internationally recognized traffic signs. The characteristic shape can be detected by the road users without knowledge of the local language and is also still discernible when the sign face is dirty, damaged or covered with snow.

History

The look and the caption was not designed from the outset uniform. Thus, since its first use in 1915 in Detroit (USA) first tested different shapes and colors, such as white signs with black lettering. From 1924 to 1954 yellow stop signs were used with black lettering in the United States. The label was also markedly variable, partly it is today. Although it has been enforced the English name STOP internationally, in South American countries but also labels with PARE or ALTO can be found, in French-speaking Quebec (Canada) includes the sign the lettering ARRÊT. In addition, some countries use their own characters, sometimes a bilingual inscription or a show of hands.

In Germany, the stop-sign on November 1, 1938 introduced. Previously no separate sign was provided for this traffic rule. It consisted of the enhanced image 30 ( give way signs ) of that traffic regulations, one standing on the tip of the triangle with a red border which additionally received an ultramarine blue inner surface with the white lettering STOP now. In the course of international standardization by the Vienna Convention on Road Signs and different stop sign variants have been proposed. On 8 November 1968, many countries, including the Federal Republic of Germany, Austria and Switzerland agreed on the characters B2a and B2b as possible representations of a stop sign. Many countries, Austria and Switzerland were also among to chose the character B2a. In Germany the old mark was first used yet. With the introduction of a new road traffic regulations on 1 March 1971, the characters B2a was made ​​compulsory. On 1 May 1971, the German Democratic Republic joined with the supplementary agreement to the Convention on road signs on this scheme.

German stop sign version valid as of 1938

Introduced in the Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia 1939 variant

West German stop sign version, valid from 1953 to 1956

West German stop sign version, valid from 1956 to 1971

Sign B2a of the Vienna Conference in 1968

B2b sign the Vienna Conference in 1968

Legal regulations

How to road users to behave at a stop sign, is governed by the road traffic laws and regulations of each country. The general rule is that each vehicle - even in a motorcade - must stop at the stop line. If there is no stop line to be used, must be stopped at a point from which the other roads are to survey ( so-called line of sight). After stopping right of way is granted.

As with all yield signs is also here that a character is in operation, traffic lights or traffic police have primacy over the plate. Furthermore, in disregard of the shield a corresponding a caution or fine is levied ( in Germany " unconditional halt bid not followed ", 10 € without risk and damage ).

A special case arises when the stop line at a traffic light controlled intersection in front of the so-called line of sight is ( arrangement shown in the diagram ) and the traffic light system is inoperative. The German road traffic regulations leaves open whether must be stopped in any case, both at the stop line and on the line of sight. This special case is not made clear in the German traffic law concluded. Since there is no perfect legal certainty, whether you have to stop twice or whether a unique hold enough is advised of pages of legal experts to stop at two lines.

In the United States, in addition to the stop sign, a red flashing light on the crossing, the flashing red light, the same (additional) meaning, like a traffic light system which is inoperative. If the stop sign with an additional symbol "3 -WAY ", "4 -WAY " or "ALL WAY" is provided, after stopping one road user has right of way, which is first come to a halt.

Subsequently, the current valid stop signs in Germany, Austria and Switzerland are listed.

Regulatory signs 24 Maintenance ( Austria )

Precedence Signal 3:01 Stop ( Switzerland )