When pulling out of a Parking Lot, do you stop or do you do a slow roll into the street? Is it the law that you are suppose to stop?

Depends on whether traffic is coming or not, but usually a slow roll. My understanding from Driver’s Ed though was you’re always supposed to stop completely, so it’s probably a ticketable offense to roll out, at least around here. That was years ago when I learned it though. One other thought here, people who roll out can sometimes be in a hurry (which is why they’re still moving), so it can be potentially perilous for pedestrians crossing…if you’re a pedestrian, always try to make eye contact with the drivers of cars pulling out of parking lots!

@nope Very well said!! And thank you!

I come to a complete stop.

I live in the city. Pulling out without looking is stupid. I am not looking to cause an accident. I stop and look both ways before pulling out. Yes, you get a ticket for not checking the right a way traffic.

The way people drive and the things people do while driving scares the hell out of me. I stop, and since it is a move into potential oncoming traffic, if it isn’t the law it should be. I stop even when it’s the other person’s responsibility if I have even the slightest doubt that they are driving too fast or not paying attention to what they’re doing. The one bit of advice my dad gave me about driving that stuck with me, is that looking out for everyone else’s driving is just as important as my own. And .. knock on wood, I’ve never been involved in a serious accident.

That’s a California roll, baby. I do it all the time, but mostly at stop signs.

Stop and check traffic all the time. That was what I learned in traffic school. Also wait a few seconds when the light changes for any person running the light.

If you are pulling out onto a road, you are supposed to come to a complete stop first. The traffic on the road has the right of way, the person coming from the parking lot is merging into traffic, or cutting across traffic.

By the way, if you get in a car accident in a parking lot that has a one way system, with the arrows painted on the ground to guide drivers, and you are going the wrong way, your citation will read that you were going the wrong way on a one way street in most states.

How is it be possible to even think that it was legal to roll out?

@simone54 LOL. You said it best.

Usually when pulling out of a parking lot there is a stop sign, but in some areas where a stop sign isn’t necessary, I will yeild and then pull out if traffic is clear. I believe that it is only mandatory to stop with a stop sign and off course any traffic going straight has the right of way over you.

Legal or not, wouldn’t it always be wise to come to a full stop and look both way, since many lots face busy streets. And even on an unbusy street, a car, bike or whatever can zoom suddenly, thinking THEY have the right-of-way.

Your Fluther profile says you live in Montana, and the Montana Driver’s License Manual mentions parking lots five times. Apparently, your state treats parking lot entrances like any other intersection. You have to yield to pedestrians and through traffic, but I don’t see where you’re required to stop fully.

@JLeslie I didn’t have any idea about that. I’ve heard there is nothing that can be done if you hit someone in a parking lot. THANKS for the helpful info!!! (((HUG)))
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@simone54 I guess because there is no stop or yield sign present. I always yield to traffic but this person thought he owned the road and peeled out in front of a truck. Not smart! Thanks!
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And thank you so much Dominic. I thought so. But this person really thought he owned the road and peeled out to get in front of a truck~SEMI truck! Not smart! Thanks!!!!! (((HUG)))

In California, you must yield to oncoming traffic. If there is a stop sign at the exit, which there often is, you must come to a full stop. It is illegal to pull into oncoming traffic.

I like to play footsie with cross traffic. The other guy stops… I wave him on – then I move – he stops! I like to see how many times I can get him to stop… my record is six!
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(bowing) Thank you. Nunya… does this qualify for a hug?

@Tomfafa I find that awful. Traffic is not for playing. I never would think someone would do that on purpose.

It sure does Tomfafa! I don’t need a reason for a great big ol’ (((HUG))) There ya go! :-)

@NUNYA Thank you my dear NUNYA… I feel the love!!!
@JLeslie It is awful!! I am a bitch at times.

@Tomfafa You probably would have enjoyed the thread asking what do you find funny that others usually don’t.

@JLeslie In truth I am the kindest… most patient… most giving person in the universe! Unless you don’t deserve it, then I come down hard. Think of it as ‘tough love.’

@Tomfafa But waving someone on and then creeping forward has nothing to do with the other person being bad or needing tough love. You just have a strange sense of humour, and are willing to risk a car accident or pissing someone off.

@JLeslie Yes to all of the above… and I will never do it again!

@Tomfafa :) by the way I did not assume you are a bad or unkind person, I believe you are a giving patient person.

It depends on whether or not there’s a STOP sign there.