Stopping at the specified place is

Explanation

Stopping at that point is permitted, because the sign's zone of effect ended before it.

The round blue sign with a red border and cross means "no stopping". But do not look only at the sign; look at the edge of the kerb. In the picture, a continuous yellow line runs along the right-hand kerb, and that line ends further on — the white arrow points exactly to a point beyond the end of that line, and from there on the kerb is plain and uncoloured.

The rule is: when a "no stopping" sign is used together with a yellow line along the kerb, the length of that marking defines the sign's zone of effect. Normally the zone of effect of this sign runs from where it is posted to the nearest junction (or the end of the built-up area) and relates only to the side of the road on which the sign is installed; but the yellow line shortens that zone. Since the indicated point lies outside the yellow line, stopping there is permitted.

The safety reason for this method is practical: a sign is a single point in space and can easily be missed at night, in rain or behind a lorry, whereas the yellow line runs beneath your wheels for the whole length of the prohibition and shows its boundary precisely and continuously. With that line, both stopping in a prohibited place is reduced and drivers do not needlessly drive on to the next junction.

The exam trap: seeing the red cross and answering "prohibited" at once. Always look first at how far the yellow marking runs and on which side of its end the indicated place lies.

• The red cross immediately pushes the mind towards "prohibited", but the yellow marking accompanying the sign has ended before the indicated point, and that point is no longer within the sign's zone of effect.

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