New Iowa Law Lets Runners Roll Through Stop Signs
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A new law in Iowa allows pedestrians, including runners, to roll through stop signs rather than coming to a full stop.
The “Iowa Stop,” as it’s called, essentially turns stop signs into yield signs for anyone traveling on foot. It became statewide law on January 1, much to the delight of Iowa’s running community.
“It’s about time,” said Ronald Wood, 33, a runner in Des Moines. “Having to come to a full stop every time you reach a stop sign was such a drag. Especially for those of us in urban areas.”
“Now when we approach a stop sign,” he continued, “we can simply lower our center of gravity, lean forward with hands outstretched, tuck in our chins as we touch the ground, and roll right past it, leaping back up to resume our run.”
“It’s just so much easier.”
The state’s largest running club, which helped to lobby for the law’s passage, expressed satisfaction as well—and hope that the law might be further improved in years to come.
“This common-sense law is a victory for all Iowa runners,” said Charles Watts, president of the Iowa Runners Association, “and we look forward to working with our state representatives to make it even broader, perhaps by allowing runners to cartwheel, back-flip, or even sashay through stop signs.”
However, not everyone thinks the Iowa Stop is a good idea.
“Stop signs are there for a reason,” said Michael Jagger, 72, a longtime runner in Davenport. “Are we all in such a hurry that we can’t take a few moments to actually stop before proceeding through an intersection?”
Jagger said he would continue to come to a full stop at stop signs, whatever the law says.
“Call me old-fashioned,” he said, “but I have no interest in rolling.”
“Especially at my age.”
