The stop light is one of the basic and most basic traffic rules.
Despite this, there are many road users who ignore the rule, according to a new survey from Riksförbundet M Sweden conducted in 13 Swedish locations.
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The rule many ignore
After 3,400 observations from all over the country, the association was able to establish that a full 19 percent, or almost 1 in 5, of Sweden’s road users do not stop at stop signs.
Above all, cyclists are bad at obeying stop lights, as only 52 percent stop at stop signs.
Drivers of motorbikes and A-tractors also perform poorly, as 35 and 29 percent respectively neglect to stop at stop signs.
Cyclists are often bad at stopping at stop signs – Photo: Lars Pehrson/SvD/TTO The expected group is the best at stopping
Among drivers of passenger cars, 20 percent ignore stopping when required to stop, which is somewhat worse than the average for Swedish road users as a whole.
Truck and bus drivers perform relatively well in the survey, as only 19 and 15 percent respectively ignore the stop light.
What is perhaps most surprising is that taxi drivers, who many criticize for their driving, are by far the best when it comes to obeying stop lights, with only 3 percent neglecting to stop.
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Fines and suspended driver’s license
That professional drivers are the best at following stop lights may seem good given that traffic is their workplace, and the reason may be the penalties if you are caught.
Violating the stop light is punishable by a fine of SEK 2,500, and can also lead to the driver’s license being revoked. The latter is a particularly noticeable consequence for a professional driver.
– Every time a road user ignores the stop signs, they expose themselves and others to unnecessary dangers, says Helene Liljahead of communication and society at Riksförbundet M Sweden.
However, the Swedes have become significantly better at stopping at stop signs than a few years ago. When the same survey was carried out two years ago, a full 30 percent ignored the obligation to stop.
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Percentage of drivers who do not follow the stop light – per vehicle type