Driving in France: do you need to wait for three seconds at stop signs?
This is a common driving school tip but it may not have legal basis
Driving instructors often tell learners to pause for three seconds at these signs
Spech/Shutterstock
Confusion often arises in France around the rules for stop signs on roads and the required waiting period drivers must pause their vehicles for when facing them.
Driving instructors in France often tell learners that when they come across intersections marked with the red stop signs, they must always stop and wait at least three seconds before pulling out. They must avoid driving over any line on the ground demarcating where they must stop regardless of whether they can see traffic passing or not.
Indeed, similar rules 鈥� including a three-second pause at intersections 鈥� are in place in several other countries including the United States, where those who do not stop face fines and points on their licence.
What are the rules in France?
The rules in France are less straightforward, said lawyer Jean-Baptiste Le Dall to French news site .
鈥淸At intersections] marked by a stop sign, all drivers must come to a complete stop at the edge of the road they are approaching. They must then yield to vehicles travelling on the other road or roads and only proceed after ensuring that it is safe to do so.鈥�
This is stated in of the French Code de la route (driving safety laws).
Those who fail to do this face a fine of 鈧�135, up to four points on their licence 鈥� meaning those with a non-French licence but living in France would need to exchange their licence 鈥� and a possible three-year suspension of their licence.
However, the 鈥榯hree seconds鈥� is somewhat of an urban myth 鈥� or at the very least a safe teaching method used by driving instructors 鈥� and does not exist in the Code de la route.
People can search through all the texts, laws, orders and decrees, and the Highway Code, but they will never find any reference to these three seconds, said Mr Le Dall.
In addition, it seems that further clarity on the issue is unlikely to come any time soon.
Several lawyers have had the 鈥渙pportunity to submit the question of these three seconds to the highest courts, which have sidestepped the issue,鈥� Mr Le Dall added.
Generally, a ruling by France鈥檚 top-tier courts such as the cour de cassation can set a precedent for future rulings, but as they have failed to make a definitive mention of the 鈥榯hree seconds鈥�, it remains up in the air.
Follow law by ensuring you stop long enough
Despite their authority, the words and rulings of courts can be different to what often happens in practical situations.
鈥淚n the field, police officers and gendarmes will of course pay little attention to the position of the criminal court,鈥� said Mr Le Dall.
Officers will pull up drivers found breaking the rules as they see them, including unsafe behaviour at stop signs.
In short, it means an argument over 鈥榳aiting three seconds鈥� at a stop sign is likely to hold little sway if the driver is caught breaking the aforementioned article of law by driving unsafely.
The 鈥榯hree seconds鈥� should not be seen as a steadfast rule, but as a safety tip to help ensure you pause your vehicle for the right amount of time at these stop signs.
In some cases, the pause will obviously need to be for longer, particularly during periods of traffic.
