According to Tennessee Code, what does "stop" refer to?

In Tennessee Code, "stop" refers to a complete cessation of movement. This means that a vehicle must come to a full and total halt before proceeding and cannot simply slow down or pause while still in motion. The importance of this definition lies in ensuring that drivers understand the need to completely stop at designated areas such as stop signs, traffic signals, or when yielding to pedestrians. This requirement promotes safety on the roads by allowing drivers to assess their surroundings before moving again, thereby reducing the risk of accidents.

The other options hint at variations of stopping but do not meet the defined legal requirement. For example, merely slowing down or pausing does not guarantee that a driver has fully complied with the requirement to stop, as it may still leave ambiguity in terms of visibility and awareness of incoming traffic or pedestrians. Therefore, the precise definition of "stop" as a complete cessation of movement is crucial for effective traffic regulation and safety.