What must the driver of a vehicle do when approaching an intersection with a "stop line" and a green traffic light?

Explanation

Continue through the junction without stopping.

A "stop line" is not in itself an order to stop; it merely marks the place where you must stop if a stop becomes necessary. The obligation to halt is created by a red light, an amber light, a stop sign or a police officer's signal, not by a marking on the asphalt. When the light is green, movement is permitted and you must pass through the junction without stopping.

The safety reason for this rule lies in the continuity of the traffic flow. The driver approaching behind you at urban speed expects the queue to move off on a green light; stopping suddenly on the stop line is one of the commonest causes of rear-end impacts at junctions. In addition, every needless stop burns several seconds of the limited green time and drags the queue back to the previous junction.

Worth memorising: the stop line is a "place of stopping", not an "order to stop". And that is exactly the exam trap; the line's name pushes the mind towards halting. Of course, a green light is not an unconditional permission: if there is congestion on the far side of the junction and you are likely to get stuck in the middle, you have no right to enter; you must also give way to pedestrians finishing their crossing and to vehicles whose manoeuvre in the junction is incomplete.

• Stopping on the stop line is compulsory only when a prohibiting signal or sign exists; on a green light, stopping is neither necessary nor safe, because the car behind expects movement.

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