Do stop signs regulate where you stop at the intersection

Do stop signs regulate where you stop at the intersection

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‘Stop’ and ‘Give way’ signs and lines help to control traffic at intersections on NSW roads.

Stop signs and stop lines

When you approach a ‘Stop’ sign and ‘Stop’ line (single unbroken line), you must come to a complete stop. You must stop before the line, and as close as possible to the line.

If there’s a ‘Stop’ sign but no line at an intersection, you must stop before, and as close as possible, to the intersection. At all other places where there’s a ‘Stop’ sign but no line, you must stop before, and as close as possible, to the sign.

There are different rules for giving way at ‘Stop’ signs and ‘Stop’ lines at:

  • intersections
  • railway level crossings
  • pedestrian crossings.

'Stop' sign

At other places with a ‘Stop’ sign or line, you must give way to any vehicle or pedestrian at or near the sign or line.

 

Do stop signs regulate where you stop at the intersection
'Stop' road sign

‘Stop’ sign (traffic controller)

You must stop at a 'Stop' sign held by a traffic controller — for example, at roadworks and children's crossings. You must remain at a complete stop until the controller stops showing the sign, or signals you can go.

Do stop signs regulate where you stop at the intersection
‘Stop’ road sign (traffic controller’s)

‘Stop’ sign at traffic lights

Some intersections with traffic lights have a ‘Stop’ sign with three black dots. If the lights are not working or are flashing yellow, you must follow the same rules as for a ‘Stop’ sign.

Do stop signs regulate where you stop at the intersection
Road sign with 'Stop' and 3 black dots

Slow down to stop sign

The ‘Stop sign ahead’ sign warns you that you’re approaching a ‘Stop’ sign. You should slow down and prepare to stop.

Do stop signs regulate where you stop at the intersection
'Stop sign ahead, slow down' road sign

Give way signs and give way lines

‘Give way’ signs and ‘Give way’ lines are used at intersections to control traffic.

A ‘Give way’ sign is a regulatory sign and must be obeyed by law.

When you approach a ‘Give way’ sign or ‘Give way’ line (single broken line), you must slow down and prepare to stop.

There are different rules for giving way at ‘Give way’ signs and ‘Give way’ lines at:

  • intersections
  • narrow bridges and roads
  • pedestrian crossings.

'Give way' sign

At other places with a ‘Give way’ sign or line, you must give way to any vehicle or pedestrian at or near the sign or line.

Do stop signs regulate where you stop at the intersection
'Give way' road sign

The ‘Give way sign ahead’ sign warns you that you’re approaching a ‘Give way’ sign. You should slow down and prepare to stop.

Do stop signs regulate where you stop at the intersection
'Give way sign ahead, slow down' road sign

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Is the stop sign universal?

The red octagonal field with white English-language stop legend is the most common stop sign used around the world, but it is not universal; Japan uses an inverted solid red triangle, for example, and Zimbabwe until 2016 used a disc bearing a black cross.

How do us stop signs work?

A stop sign is a regulatory sign - a traffic control device that warns drivers to slow down and prepare to stop. It's used when there are no other cars around, or at the end of a line of traffic. Drivers must stop at the stop line, crosswalk, or intersection, whichever they encounter first.

When stopped at intersection which car must stop?

T-junctions (Three-Way Intersections) Vehicles on the major road (the through road) have the right of way. Vehicles coming from the minor road must come to a complete stop and yield to any oncoming traffic on the through road.

What does a stop sign with 3 black dots mean?

'Stop' sign at traffic lights Some intersections with traffic lights have a 'Stop' sign with three black dots. If the lights are not working or are flashing yellow, you must follow the same rules as for a 'Stop' sign.