What Does Failure to Observe a Stop or Yield Sign Mean?
Under N.J.S.A. ยง 39:4-144, a driver approaching an intersection marked with a stop sign must bring his or her vehicle to a complete stop within 5 feet of the nearest crosswalk or stop line. Therefore, slowing down or almost stopping at a stop sign is not sufficient. You must come to a complete stop or you are in violation of this statute. Comparatively, at an intersection marked with a yield sign, a driver must slow to a reasonable speed, stopping if necessary, and yield the right of way to all traffic that may be of an immediate hazard. Here, slowing down or almost stopping may be enough to satisfy the law.
