3 On Your Side: Hidden stop sign | News

JACKSON, MS (WLBT)- Jackson mom Steffani Jenkins says she understands her 16-year-old son failed a driving test Tuesday because he failed to stop at a stop sign.

But she called 3 On Your Side after she saw the stop sign for herself. It was partially obscured by shrubs, outside the old Belk at Metrocenter Mall.

Jenkins says she spoke to the driving instructor about the hazard.

"I said, 'Have other people failed the test because of the stop sign?' She said 'yes.' I said, 'have you thought about cutting back the shrubs, doing something about it?' She said 'you have to contact headquarters about that,'" Jenkins says. "I don't want my son to have his drivers license if he's not worthy, but then again I felt like she should have taken some responsibility."

On Wednesday, 3 On Your Side spotted one or two cars failing to stop, but most motorists seemed aware that a stop is needed at the junction, which is an entrance to the mall.

Warren Strain with the Mississippi Department of Public Safety says it's not a policy for driving instructors to report driving hazards to businesses or appropriate agencies. But it's good practice, and instructors are encouraged to do so, Strain said.

Late Wednesday morning, 3 On Your Side contacted Metrocenter Mall management about the obscured stop sign. By 2:45 in the afternoon, the shrub overgrowth had been cleared from the sign.

The mall says they trimmed the shrubs as a courtesy. They say developer David Watkins owns the Belk property, so he is responsible for the upkeep of the grounds in that area.

As of Wednesday afternoon, Watkins had not yet returned our call for comment.

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