Road Markings/Stop Lines

Stop Lines are used at junctions which require more caution from drivers than the standard Give Way Lines generally suggest. They were originally used at junctions which had poor visibility, or approached busy roads where early drivers had not necessarily anticipated the upcoming danger of the junction. They are accompanied by Stop Signs, and often with advance warning signs too. The lines themselves are often painted much thicker than a standard white centre line and sometimes are accompanied by the word 'STOP' painted in front of them.

Today Stop Lines are most common at Traffic Signal controlled junctions and crossings where they span as many lanes as there is traffic. However, these lines differ from true stop lines by being much thinner - normally the same width as a standard centre line, and are never accompanied by Stop signs or Stop painted on the road, as both are made superfluous by the presence of the traffic signals.

Advance Stop Lines

Increasingly common at signal controlled junctions, particularly at busy urban sites, are Advance Stop Lines. These are painted a couple of metres or so in advance of the main stop line, and between the two lines the road is often surfaced in a contrasting colour to highlight the zone. The zone is intended to allow cyclists to make their way to the front of the queue, and then clear the junction in advance of the main flow of traffic, so theoretically provide a safer route for cyclists. Such zones are normally created by painting a new stop line behind the original one, rather than compromising the space available within the junction itself. They are also used at signalised crossing points.