Did You Know s3

DID YOU KNOW???

A public service of the Franklin County Traffic Safety Board

STOP SIGNS, YIELD SIGNS – WHERE MUST I STOP?

Many motorists are not sure just where to stop when they come to a stop sign, yield sign, or a traffic light. Paragraph 1172 of New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law addresses this subject. Except when directed to proceed by a police officer, every driver of a vehicle approaching a stop sign shall stop according to the following:  At a clearly marked stop line (the thick white line on your side of the road at an intersection, also called a stop bar.  If no stop line or stop bar exists, than you must stop before entering the crosswalk on your side of the intersection.  In the event there is also no crosswalk, you must stop at the nearest point of the intersection where you have a view of approaching traffic on the intersecting roadway.

If the intersection is controlled by a yield sign rather than a stop sign, a stop is not required unless traffic on the intersecting roadway requires you to yield the right-of- way, and then the same rules apply as for a stop sign.

If the intersection is controlled by a traffic signal, you are again required to stop prior to the stop bar, if there is one, and if not, prior to the crosswalk, and wait for the green signal. Whenever at least one of the roads at an intersection is a state highway, it is normal that stop lines are part of the pavement markings. Sometimes the stop line is some distance from the intersection. This is to permit large vehicles enough room to complete a turn. When motorists go beyond the stop line to wait for the signal, it defeats this purpose.

Know the law, and drive safely.