Crossroads often cause difficulties for novice drivers. As for the stop at the intersection, it causes even greater problems. Is this allowed at all? Are there any exceptions to the rules? What are the consequences due to their violation? We will answer these and other questions consonant with the topic in the article.
Main concept
What is a crossroads? SDA define it as a merger, intersection or fork of roads located at the same level (paragraph 1.2 of the Rules). Therefore, when determining a stop at an intersection, it must be understood that intersections of roads at various levels (for example, under bridges) will no longer be considered intersections.
From the point of view of traffic safety, the intersection can be defined as the location of the concentration of conflict situations possible on the roads. Since it is here that different directions of movement of vehicles are crossed.
Travel rules
In order to correctly determine when a stop at the intersection is possible, you need to be confident in the rules of passage for these intersections (paragraph 13 of the SDA).
In particular, the driver of the vehicle must know and comply with the following algorithm:
- Focus on the choice of direction of movement, take the appropriate location on the roadway. That is, to change lanes.
- Determine which intersection is in front of you. The two main types are adjustable or unregulated.
- Determine if you are allowed to travel in your chosen direction. Two important factors are taken into account here: permitting such passage from the point of view of traffic rules and permission to follow the chosen route from the point of view of safety.
- Decide on the type of passage of the intersection that is necessary for you - entry or exit.
Stop prohibition
Before dealing with a stop at the intersection, consider a list of places where the stop is prohibited at all. To do this, we turn to paragraph 12.4 of the SDA:
- Tram rails.
- Bridges, overpasses, car tunnels, overpasses.
- Stop in close proximity to the marking.
- Crosswalks.
- Limited visibility conditions on the road.
- Crossings of carriageways (this also applies to stopping and parking at the intersection).
- Special stops only for taxis and fixed-route vehicles.
- Stop at a location where the car will block traffic signs or traffic signals for other drivers.
- Bicycle or bicycle lane.
Parking ban
Where is parking prohibited? A complete list of places is listed in paragraph 12.5 of the SDA. Let's voice them:
- Parking is prohibited in all places where vehicle stops are prohibited.
- On the main lanes outside cities, settlements.
- In the vicinity of railway crossings.
- In areas marked with the signs "Stop is prohibited" and "Parking is prohibited."
Fundamental intersection stopping rules
We turn to traffic rules. First of all, we need to determine in which cases a stop at the intersection is prohibited, and in which - it is allowed.
So, a stop is prohibited at the intersection of two or more road lanes. And also in places that are less than 5 m closer to the intersections. An exception to this rule is the sides opposite the side passages of tripartite intersections that have either a dividing strip or a solid marking line.
Of course, intersections are inherently intersections of carriageways, so they fit this order. In addition to regulating stops at intersections according to traffic rules, we turn to the practice of experienced car owners. They also advise beginners not to make stops closer than 5 meters to intersections and to exits from territories adjacent to them (intersections). The fact is that such a stop creates a serious obstacle to following other participants on the route.
Adjustable intersection
Now let's talk in detail about the stop at the regulated intersection. Where to stay here with a prohibiting signal from a traffic controller or traffic light? For an answer you need to refer to paragraphs. 6.13 and 13.7 traffic rules.
In case of a prohibiting traffic signal (except for a reverse signal) or a traffic controller, car drivers stop in front of the stop line (sign 6.16). In the case when it is absent:
- At intersections - always in front of the carriageway intersecting lane, without creating any interference with pedestrians on the road.
- Before level crossings - relying on paragraph 15.4 of the SDA.
- In other cases - directly in front of the traffic controller or traffic light, without creating any interference with the movement of pedestrians and other vehicles, the following of which under the Rules is allowed.
The driver who entered the intersection with a permissive traffic signal should be guided by the selected traffic vector, regardless of the traffic signals at the exit of the intersection. But in the case when stop lines (signs 6.16) are indicated at the intersection in front of the traffic lights that are on the driver’s route, the car owner is guided by the signals of each of the traffic lights.
Before the stop line
Let us now analyze in detail the case of a stop at the intersection with the applied stop line. In this case, the driver must stop strictly in front of her. It can be applied to the roadway in two ways:
- Using markup.
- Through the sign 6.16 called "STOP".
If there is no marking on the roadway, but there is a "STOP" sign near the roadway, then the driver must stop before reaching it.
There may be such a case. Markings are marked on the track, but at the same time there is a STOP sign by the road. Where to stop in this case, the driver at the intersection? Auto-instructors believe that he should stop the car here directly at the sign. This is primarily due to the rule of priority of road signs before marking.
In the absence of a stop line
Now we will analyze a more complex case - a stop at the intersection without a stop line. You must first separate the two options:
- Pedestrians follow the intersection.
- There are no pedestrians at the crossroads.
If there are no moving people at the intersection, as well as the established pedestrian crossing, then the motorist needs to stop in front of the traffic light device, without entering the intersection before it.
If pedestrians follow the road, the driver stops the vehicle before the pedestrian crossing. If it is not indicated by the corresponding markings, then the car owner stops the car in front of that section of the carriageway along which pedestrians follow.
If we turn to the requirements of the SDA, then pedestrians are authorized to cross the highway only at the corresponding pedestrian crossings (above and below ground). In their absence, at intersections along the lines of roadsides and sidewalks.
However, in any case, the driver should not pass further than the traffic light.
Unregulated intersections: in front of the STOP sign
A compulsory stop at the intersection is also needed if there is a sign “No traffic without stopping” (2.5). As a rule, it is located at an unregulated intersection of unequal motorways.
What does this road sign mean? It indicates the prohibition of non-stop movement immediately in front of the stop line. In the case when it is not there, the prohibition of movement without stopping before the start of the intersected roadway. Here the driver gives way to the vehicle following the intersected part of the road. And in the case of the presence of the sign 8.13, he must miss the cars plying along the main road.
As for mark 2.5, it is also installed in front of the quarantine bridge or railway crossing. In such cases, the driver must suspend the vehicle before the stop line. In case of its absence - before the sign.
Unregulated intersections: in front of the stop line
If at the unequal unregulated intersection of highways there is a sign “No traffic is prohibited”, there is a stop line, then the driver must stop the car in front of it.
If there are no stop lines at an unregulated intersection, then the car is stopped before crossing lanes.
Thus, the driver is obliged to stop at the intersection according to traffic rules only in two main cases:
- At an adjustable intersection: when traffic is prohibited by a traffic light or a traffic controller’s gesture.
- At an unregulated intersection: there is a sign 2.5.
T-junction
The T-junction, in fact, is a private variety of the X-shaped. But a stop at the T-junction in the SDA is an exception to the rule.
As we discussed earlier, the Rules prohibit a stop at the intersections of carriageways (these include intersections). But the T-junction is just the same exception.
After all, stopping is prohibited with the exception of the side opposite the side passage of 3-way intersections that have a dividing strip or a solid marking line.
As for the stop at the T-junction, its possibility depends on what kind of markings are applied at this intersection. Consider the cases:
- If the marking is solid or double solid, then it is possible to make a stop along the side passage.
- In cases where the markings are either intermittent, or intermittent with solid, or none at all, stopping will be prohibited.
In addition, stopping the car at the T-junction, remember that parking on traffic rules can be no closer than 3 meters to the marked markings.
Fine
In conclusion, we examine the possibility of a fine. Stop at the intersection? Here you need to turn to the Code of Administrative Offenses. Fines for improper parking and parking of vehicles are mentioned in Art. 12.19 of the Code.
Here is what is listed here:
- Stop or parking at level crossings: 1000 rubles + deprivation of the driver of the VU for a period of 3-6 months.
- The stop of a regular vehicle in parking lots for disabled people: 5000 rubles.
- Stopping at a pedestrian crossing: 1000-3000 rubles (depending on the region of the Russian Federation).
- Making a stop on the pedestrian sidewalk: 1000-3000 rubles.
- The stop of a personal vehicle at a stopping place for taxis and public vehicles: 1000-3000 rubles.
- Car stop on tram tracks: 1500-3000 rubles.
- Car stop on the carriageway further than the first row of traffic: 1500-3000 rubles.
- Vehicle stop in a car tunnel: 2000-3000 rubles.
- Stop on the carriageway with the creation of obstacles to the movement of other vehicles: 2000-3000 rubles.
- Car stop in the areas of the relevant prohibition signs: 1500-3000 rubles.
- Other violations: 500-2000 rubles. In minor cases, only a verbal warning from the inspector is possible.
The stopping place at the intersection is not always allowed according to traffic rules. As practice shows, the amount of fines for such a violation varies. In some cases, it can reach 5,000 rubles. In addition, you need to remember that for violation of parking rules your car can be evacuated to the penalty parking lot.
Punishment for improper stop
The penalty for the wrong choice of stops at the intersection provides for hours. 1 and 2 of Art. 12.12 Administrative Code. The following cases stand out here:
- Directions for a prohibiting traffic signal or a traffic controller’s gesture - 1000 rubles.
- Failure to meet the requirements of the SDA to stop in front of the stop line (it can be indicated by both markings and road signs) with a prohibiting signal or gesture - 800 rubles.
- The intersection of the stop line or the STOP road sign at the intersection is 800 rubles.
- Repeated exit to the intersection for a signal-ban or gesture-ban - 5000 rubles (or deprivation of a military university for 4-6 months).
- Failure to comply with the requirements prescribed by road markings or road signs - 500 rubles.
In most cases, for an incorrect stop at the intersection, the driver faces an administrative fine of 500 rubles or the issuance of an oral warning.
We examined all cases of car stops at intersections - when they are necessary and prohibited, road signs, markings, signals and gestures that regulate them. We also got acquainted with the amount of administrative fines for these violations.