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Are painted stop signs in a parking lot a legal stop? Trooper Steve has the answer

Like all traffic control devices, they are there for a reason

ORLANDO, Fla. – News 6 traffic safety expert Trooper Steve Montiero answers viewer questions about the rules of the road every week, helping Orlando-area residents become better drivers by being better educated.

Trooper Steve was asked by News 6 viewer Lawrence “Are the painted stop signs on the ground that are in parking lot like Publix a legal stop? I watch people drive through them all the time.”

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“Like all traffic control devices, they are there for a reason. Whether we as drivers choose to pay attention to them is up to us but not following certain rules do have consequences,” Montiero said.

Trooper Steve admits it is unlikely that law enforcement would be proactively policing stops in a parking lot.

“This is technically private property with public access, so enforcement tends not to happen unless there is some type of agreement with the property owner,” he said. “However, these traffic control devices are there to assist in the control of cars and pedestrians so that there are no issues.”

Montiero warns that a parking lot could become “a complete mess if we choose not to follow the rules.”

He added, “Although these traffic control devices may not be proactively enforced, if a driver fails to follow these rules and it results in some type of crash then that driver would be held responsible.”


About the Authors
Steve Montiero headshot

Steven Montiero, better known as “Trooper Steve," joined the News 6 morning team as its Traffic Safety Expert in October 2017. A Central Florida native and decorated combat veteran, Montiero comes to the station following an eight-year assignment with the Florida Highway Patrol.

Thomas Mates headshot

Thomas Mates is a Streaming Executive Producer for News 6 and ClickOrlando.com. He also produces the podcast Florida Foodie. Thomas is originally from Northeastern Pennsylvania and worked in Portland, Oregon before moving to Central Florida in August 2018. He graduated from Temple University with a degree in Journalism in 2010.

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