Stop Sign Violation Determining Exclusive Fault in Intersection Collision

A driver, having failed to observe a mandatory stop sign, entered an intersection and collided with a vehicle traveling on the intersecting road, resulting in property damage. The court of appeal found both drivers at fault, apportioning liability equally between them, based on the premise that the driver entering the intersection improperly was responsible for the initial danger, while the other driver failed to reduce speed sufficiently despite the presence of an intersection and the possibility of unforeseen events. The high court quashed this decision, reasoning that the duty to stop imposed by the regulatory sign constitutes an absolute obligation, and the driver violating this mandatory signal bears the exclusive fault for the ensuing accident, irrespective of the other driver's lack of vigilance, as the latter was entitled to rely on the proper observance of traffic regulations.