What’s the penalty for a rolling stop in California? And other traffic laws you might not know
You’re driving through a neighborhood and hit a stop sign. There are no pedestrians around and no cars at the intersection. Why pump the breaks all the way — right?
You might want to think twice.
What is a rolling stop?
A rolling stop is when a driver does not do a complete stop at a stop sign.
It’s also known as a “California Roll” or a “California Stop,” according to Ticket Crushers, a team of attorneys across California, because it’s a common traffic offense in the state.
In California, if you’re at a stop sign or red light that allows for right turns, all four wheels of your car must stop moving at the limit line or before entering the cross walk.
What are the penalties?
If you violate the rules of the stop sign, you will be ticketed for $238, according to Shouse Injury Law Group. Then your municipality will tack on court fees.
You can dispute the ticket or go to traffic school to avoid getting a violation point on your driving record.
According to Ticket Crushers, getting a rolling stop violation can also result in an increase in your insurance rate.
Other CA traffic laws
California has a web of roadway penalties.
Here’s what to know before you get caught in one:
Stop for school buses. Failure to stop at for a school bus can mean a fine of up to $1,000. If you see flashing yellow lights, the school bus is preparing for a stop. When red lights flicker and a stop sign is extended, stop your car and watch for children.
- READ MORE: Up to $1,000 fine after not stopping for a school bus? Here’s a refresh on California rules
Stop at red lights. A ticket for not stopping at a red light can be as high as $500 after additional fees.
Fix your license plates. If your license plate is peeling, you could face a citation of $1,000. According to Vehicle Code 5201.1: “A person shall not erase the reflective coating of, paint over the reflective coating of, or alter a license plate to avoid visual or electronic capture of the license plate or its characters by state or local law enforcement.”
This story was originally published April 24, 2023 at 5:00 AM with the headline "What’s the penalty for a rolling stop in California? And other traffic laws you might not know."