Many motorists are unaware of the stopping time that must be observed at STOP, however the Highway Code is very clear.
It’s difficult to take the road without coming across a STOP sign. It is one of those that we see the most, to the great dismay of many motorists. It must be said that, compared to its little brother, “Give way”, the STOP is more restrictive. It requires every driver to stop regardless of the traffic conditions. Even on a small, deserted road very early in the morning or in the middle of the night, it is obligatory to stop your vehicle, check both sides, then set off again. But these signs are never put there by chance, most of the time posted at dangerous intersections where the risk of collision between vehicles is high.
In everyday life, it is not rare, if not quite common, to see motorists not respecting the STOP stop. Some people deliberately burn them, others brake but do not stop on the wide horizontal white stripe marked on the road, which is just as much considered an infraction. And among the many drivers who stop, not all of them know exactly what the rule says. Exactly how long should you stop? 1 second? 3 seconds? 5 seconds?
In France, the Highway Code is however very clear on this subject. At STOP, the vehicle must come to a complete stop, but there is no specific obligatory duration. What is crucial is that the vehicle is completely stopped, i.e. the wheels are still. The maneuver actually costs several seconds, especially since it is important to check on each side that the way is clear before leaving, but no law imposes a minimum stopping time.
In the presence of the police, if you prefer to take control, nothing prevents you from counting to 3 before checking left and right. This can be useful against overzealous police officers with whom it can be difficult to argue. Failure to comply with a STOP is punishable in France by a fine of 135 euros – reduced to 90 – and the withdrawal of 4 points on the driving license. This is a serious offense given the danger posed by motorists who do not stop in front of this sign, recognizable by its hexagonal shape and its red and white colors.