Where should the driver stop in this situation?

Explanation

In front of the "stop line" road marking.

Two signs are visible in the picture: the triangular "give way" sign with the supplementary plate "ԿԱՆԳ 250մ", which merely announces that a stop sign exists 250 metres ahead, and the red octagonal "ԿԱՆԳ / STOP" sign fitted at the junction itself. Beside the kerb, an arrow shows that same 250-metre distance.

The first sign requires no stop; its job is to prepare the driver so that he reduces speed and is not taken by surprise. The compulsory stop belongs to the stop sign, but its exact position is determined by the marking: because a stop line is drawn on the carriageway, you must stop before that line, not level with the sign's post.

The order to memorise: if a stop line is drawn, that is the criterion; if there is none, before the stop sign and at a place where you have a full view of the crossing road. The stop line's position is chosen so that the stopped car does not enter the priority road's path of travel while the driver can still see both directions.

The common trap is confusing the 250-metre warning sign with the stop sign itself and stopping hundreds of metres early, locking the flow behind you.

• The first sign is only a warning and, with the "250 m" plate, says the stop is further ahead; stopping at its foot is neither necessary nor safe. • Stopping level with the stop sign is almost right, but when a stop line is drawn, that line is the precise criterion for stopping. • A stop sign makes a complete halt compulsory; passing without stopping is an offence even if the crossing road looks empty.

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