Where Do I Have to Stop at a Stop Sign?

Do I Need to Stop at the Point Where a Stop Sign Is Placed?

No. A stop sign may be placed at the corner or well before the corner, but the location of the stop sign is not the point at which you must come to a stop.

A stop sign controls the movement of traffic approaching an intersection and only tells you that you must come to a complete stop and yield to both pedestrians and vehicles before proceeding, but a stop sign does not tell you where to stop.

Where are you required to stop when approaching a stop sign?

If there is a stop line (white line), you must stop before the stop line.

What if there is no stop line?

You must stop immediately before the crosswalk.

What if there is no white stop line or marked crosswalk?

You must stop immediately before the sidewalk.

What if there is no white stop line, marked crosswalk, or sidewalk?

You must stop immediately before the shoulder of the cross street where pedestrians will cross if a pedestrian is present or if no pedestrian is present, stop at the point nearest the intersecting roadway where you have a view of approaching vehicles.

What if my visibility is blocked by trees, bushes, or parked cars when I stop at the white stop line?

Move up slowly to where you have a view of approaching vehicles and yield to oncoming traffic.

How long do I need to stop at a stop sign?

Do I need to stop for 3 seconds at a stop sign? No. The 3 seconds rule is a myth. You must simply bring your car, motorcycle, or truck to a complete stop.

Where can I find Information about stop signs in New York?

The New York DMV provides information about stop signs and where you must stop relative to a crosswalk.

New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law Regulating Stop Signs

New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law S 1172 states the following about where you must stop at a stop sign:

S 1172. Stop signs and yield signs.  (a)  Except when directed to
proceed by a police officer, every driver of a vehicle approaching a
stop sign shall stop at a clearly marked stop line, but if none, then
shall stop before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the
intersection, or in the event there is no crosswalk, at the point
nearest the intersecting roadway where the driver has a view of the
approaching traffic on the intersecting roadway before entering the
intersection and the right to proceed shall be subject to the provisions
of section eleven hundred forty-two.

You must yield to pedestrians first and then to vehicular traffic coming from both directions.

New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law S 1142 states:

S 1142. Vehicle entering stop or yield intersection.  (a) Except when
directed to proceed by a police officer, every driver of a vehicle
approaching a stop sign shall stop as required by section eleven hundred
seventy-two and after having stopped shall yield the right of way to any
vehicle which has entered the intersection from another highway or which
is approaching so closely on said highway as to constitute an immediate
hazard during the time when such driver is moving across or within the
intersection.

If you were a pedestrian hit by a car or truck at an intersection with or without a stop sign or you were a driver who was injured in an intersection collision, please call us days/nights/weekends for a free consultation.

See more answers to FAQs

Have a Question or Comment About Where do I need to stop at a stop sign? Leave a Comment!