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Why are Stop Lines (in the US, at least) often set too far back to see any crossing traffic? (self.asklemmy)

submitted 9 months ago by walden to c/asklemmy@lemmy.ml

55 comments fedilink hide all child comments

I've seen them called "Stop Lines", "Balk Line", etc. The thick line painted on the road at a Stop Sign.

You're supposed to stop before the line, but a lot of the time there's a bush or other obstruction so you can't see any crossing traffic. You have to creep forward until you can see anything.

Is there a reason for this? Is it done on purpose? It makes sense if there's a crosswalk or something, but I see it a lot where there shouldn't be any pedestrian activity.

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[–] mozz@mbin.grits.dev 45 points 9 months ago (3 children)

For stoplights, the stop line being comically far back is often so buses and trucks have room to make a big turn without colliding with your vehicle. If you're at an intersection where the stop line is in an absurd place, it's usually better to stop there rather than stopping wherever and running the risk of finding out why it is that you were supposed to stop way back.

For stop signs, I have no idea. Maybe it means the traffic engineer was drunk that day or something; IDK.

[–] 4am@lemm.ee 17 points 9 months ago (1 children)

There is an intersection on the south side of providence RI that is like this and every single day someone is way out there like they supposed to stop up with the other two lanes and they end up trying to back up into a line of stopped cars while a city bus honks at them

[–] walden 4 points 9 months ago

Now that you mention it, even if you stop at the stop line, it's still very possible to not see any crossing traffic and then start creeping forward only for a bus to appear. By then it's too late.

[–] Tiltinyall@beehaw.org 6 points 9 months ago

I live in a very hard to navigate city by tractor trailer in the U.S. This is correct even in the case of stop signs. Tight turns need clearance for large vehicles or else you get no infrastructure

[–] walden 2 points 9 months ago

The lines at intersections with traffic lights make sense to me, especially since they all have crosswalks, etc. in my area.