What can be done about this? Stop signs?

Alright, I am a very new driver (about 4 hours of road time) and I'm having a little problem here. The people in the city I live in only stop at stop signs if they see another car - and sometimes not even then. This afternoon my dad and I were driving. There was a car behind me, and we were coming up on a stop sign. Lo and behold, a big car comes flying forward and stops very suddenly a few inches past the stop sign. My dad started yelling at me because I had slowed down by about 3 MPH when I saw the car wasn't stopping and how dangerous that is and etc. Well I don't understand this. If I don't slow down and the car at the stop sign doesn't see me/care, I'm not going to have time to stop and we'll be hit. But my dad says no matter what happens with the car at the stop sign, if I slow down AT ALL, the car behind is going to hit me. So my questions are

1: How does one correctly handle this kind of situation?
and
2: Isn't there ANYTHING that can be done to make people actually pay attention and stop at stop signs?

I <3 my Suby.

Technically, If the car behind you hits you because you slowed down, they are 100% at fault so your dad is wrong there. They should be following with enough distance to stop before hitting you. As far as not wanting to be hit by people not paying attention, that seems natural and you will get better and better as the years go by. You need a better teacher than your dad if he just yells at you every time you do something little. Especially when he's wrong. You can always flash your lights quickly or toot your horn really quick to alert others of your presence.

kenbgray

Welcome to the world of driving. Just do whats right. If someone hits you from the rear, they are at fault.

Joshy

Um...dont you have cops that give tickets for running stop signs? Where do you live?

Why would your dad yell at you for slowing down before coming to a stop.

Next time, keep going normal speeds until reaching the stop sign, and hit the brake as hard as you can so his head goes flying into the dash. Then ask him whether you should "slow down" before coming to the stop sign next time or not.

You cant control how drivers drive either way, if you have a problem with it, its up to you to leave the city.

and your dads an idiot and shouldnt have a license if hes saying that your going to be hit not matter what if you stop for stop sign. A stop sign means to stop, did he learn to read?

sgoldperson

Well you tap your brakes and slow down. That way the driver behind you is hinted that you are slowing down, even if you just coast to the light/stop sign you should tap the brakes first so the driver behind you has warning. Now as long as you have brake lights then as you slow down by using the brakes the guy behind you should hit their brakes. If they are driving correctly they are giving enough distance and wouldn't hit you. You were right and your dad is wrong, no matter what he thinks.
As to the people who don't pay attention you can only take care of yourself. It's DEFENSIVE driving, which is what you are already doing. Only other thing you can do is write a letter to the editor about it. Try telling the cops, but writing a letter would be better because then others may write in complaining as well.

Gerry

I don't think your dad should be yelling at you over this because you are not doing anything wrong. Before you come to the stop sign, tap your breaks once or twice this way the car behinds you know you are about to stop. Make your complete stop, look in all directions and then go. Also, I'd recommend goign to your police department, or at least calling them and request they put an officer in that area to see what's going on. If there's a stop sign, they need to stop, regarldess. There is no legal reason why someone won't stop there and if they hit you - then they are at fault.

eric

You have to pay attention to what other drivers are doing to avoid an accident. But if a driver behind you hits you, it's their fault. You have no control over how someone is driving behind you. You can only have control of what's happening ahead of you and if you have to slow down because of a car ahead of you or someone running a stop sign, then that's what you do. If you hit a car ahead of you, then you're at fault. If you stop at a stop sign like you're suppose too and then proceed to go and if a car is running the stop sign and hits you on the side, it's their fault. Everybody is suppose to stop at stop signs, but I can see why people would just roll through there if there are no other cars around. But that's no excuse. So, always stop at the stop sign, watch to see if other cars are stopping, and then go when it's safe.

It All Matters.~â˜ºâ™¥

You must attend the next city hall meeting. Present your case and see what happens. You might also go to the police chief and demand that his officers do their jobs. You can also sue in court it they do not do their job.

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