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.

stop sign - where do I stop at a stop sign?

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.

Continue reading below this section
divider line - article continues below this section

Founding Partner Attorney Rob PlevyInjured? Call 1-800-HURT-911® New York’s Personal Injury
Dream Team™ right now for your free consultation!

We’ll call you back within minutes!
1-800-487-8911

Call to get your Free Consultation Right Now button

click to chat button to get your free consultation right now

No Win — No Fees
GUARANTEED! ™

client reviews icon

See how Nyda got her dream house! What will you do with your settlement money?

divider line - article continues below this section

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

up arrow icon-click to go back to the table of contents for Where Do I Have to Stop at a Stop Sign?

divider line gold narrow

comments button for Where do I need to stop at a stop sign?

Phil Franckel is a well-known personal injury lawyer in New York since 1989. He is a Founding Partner of 1-800-HURT-911, LLP®, the Personal Injury Dream Team™, and a former Member of the Board of Directors of the New York State Trial Lawyers Association. He has an Avvo Top 10  Rating, Avvo Client’s Choice Award with all 5-star reviews, Avvo Top Contributor Award, Multi-Million Dollar Trial Lawyers Award, and others. See Mr. Franckel’s bio for areas of expertise.

divider line gold - thick

1-800-HURT-911® Personal Injury Lawyers "As Seen On TV" ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, , WOR, WPIX logos

Get the 1-800-HUR-T911® Dream Team™ on your side and become a member of our family!
We’ll immediately protect you from the insurance companies!

“Knowing I had a team of great lawyers on my side gave me a sense of power and peace of mind. They took care of everything for me. When a settlement was negotiated, I saw the difference a team of lawyers makes.”
—Lia Fisse

No Win — No Fee — No Expenses — Guaranteed!

Personal Injury Lawyer Screened by Google

Attorneys who can get you the most amount of money AND provide personal service!

Free Personal Injury Consultation call button  Chat to get your free Personal Injury consultation right now button

Please take a look at some of our:

What will happen when I call 1-800-HURT-911 or chat?

  1. Our call center operators and chat operators are available 24/7.
  2. Just give your contact info to our operator and Founding Partner Rob Plevy, Esq. will call you within 5-10 minutes for your free, no-obligation consultation during the hours of 8 am – 10 pm. After hours, Rob will call you in the morning or at the time you want.
  3. Then just text or call us any time you want during your case!

Because any delay could cause you to lose viable rights and benefits, please call HURT-911® Founding Partner Rob Plevy, Esq. right now for a free consultation to find out your rights days/nights/weekends.
1-800-HURT-911
1-800-487-8911

You can speak, text, or email with us whenever you want throughout your case and afterward, days/nights/weekends, and experience our famous personal service. You’ll even get our personal phone numbers so you can call or text anytime!

Watch Founding Partner Phil Franckel, Esq. talk about New York Serious Injury Attorneys.com, difficult cases, and the 1-800-HURT-911® Dream Team™


Philip L. Franckel, Esq. is one of the HURT911® Dream Team™ Founding Partners at 1-800-HURT-911® New York; He has a 10 Avvo rating; Avvo Client’s Choice with all 5-star reviews; Avvo Top Contributor; and a former Member of the Board of Directors of the New York State Trial Lawyers Association.

1-800-HURT-911® Founding Partner and Personal Injury Lawyer Rob Plevy, Esq.

Founding Partner Rob Plevy, Esq.

Robert Plevy, Esq. is one of the HURT911® Dream Team™ Founding Partners at 1-800-HURT-911® New York. Rob began his legal career in 1993 as an Assistant Corporation Counsel defending The City of New York against personal injury lawsuits.

Get the HURT911® Dream Team on your side!
Call Attorneys Rob Plevy & Phil Franckel days/nights/weekends for a free consultation
1-800-HURT-911

1-800-487-8911

New York Serious Injury Lawyer logo

divider line gold - thick

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