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

submitted 6 months ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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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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[–] [email protected] 20 points 6 months ago

In the US, more often than not, intersections like this were designed to handle traffic consisting of tractor-trailers. Tractor-trailers need considerably more space to maneuver than a small passenger car or pickup truck.

As for the visual obstructions, my guess is some city planner failed to take the sight line of small cars into account when decorating or road side maintenance had been put off, allowing foliage to grow where it shouldn’t.

What you’re supposed to do is fully stop at the line and then slowly scoot forward to where you can see crossing traffic and come to a full stop again. Then proceed according to whatever traffic rule governs that intersection.