Road markings

Stop line at signals or police control

What does this road marking mean?

A thick solid white line across the carriageway marks where you must stop when traffic lights show red or when a police officer signals you to stop. Stopping beyond it is an offence even if you have left the junction itself clear. The line is also where the sensors that detect waiting traffic are usually buried, so stopping short of it can leave the lights unaware that you are there. Treat it as the edge of the junction rather than a suggestion.

Highway Code references

• Rule 176 from Using the road (159 to 203)

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