Stop Points

Delaware Roadway Stopping Points

The legal STOPPING POINTS are the same at STOP SIGN controlled intersections and TRAFFIC SIGNAL controlled intersections. Additionally, these legal STOPPING POINTS also apply at PEDESTRIAN CROSSINGS.

TITLE 21
Motor Vehicles
CHAPTER 41. RULES OF THE ROAD
Subchapter VII. Special Stops Required

§ 4164. Stop signs and yield signs.
(a) Except when directed to proceed by police officers or traffic-control devices, every driver of a vehicle approaching a stop intersection indicated by a stop sign shall stop at a marked stop line, but if none, before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection or if none, then at the point nearest the intersecting roadway where the driver has a view of approaching traffic on the intersecting roadway before entering the intersection.

QUESTION: Is it hard to come to a full stop at a legal stopping point when no cross traffic is in sight?

ANSWER: YOU BET IT IS!

Picture #7-9

The vehicle in picture #7-9 above not only did not stop at the STOP LINE, but also did not come to a full stop before entering the CROSSWALK. However, this vehicle did come to a full stop “at the point nearest the intersecting roadway where the driver has a view of approaching traffic on the intersecting roadway before entering the intersection.” Even though a full stop was made — it was still a violation of Delaware Law.

The STOPPING POINT for a STOP SIGN controlled intersection is usually a stop line or the point of the intersection the driver has a clear view of cross traffic. However, as seen in the picture below when the STOP SIGN is located in a busy pedestrian location, the STOP LINE/STOPPING POINT is usually located a minimum of 4 feet prior to the CROSSWALK.