What Everybody Ought to Know About Crosswalks and Stop Lines
Have crosswalks and stop lines ever ambushed you?
What is it about crosswalks and stop lines? Why is this combination of roadway markings so costly and confusing? Above all, if you guess wrong, it will cost you $115.
Meanwhile, roadway markings have the power to:
- Transform a legal curb cut into an illegal pedestrian ramp (marked crosswalk)
- Prohibit parking even if a parking sign allows parking (safety zone)
- Give a pedestrian safe passage across a busy NYC intersection (crosswalk)
Estimated reading time: 6 minutes
Definition of Crosswalks
(i) Marked crosswalk. That part of a roadway is defined by two parallel lines or highlighted by a pattern of lines (perpendicular, parallel or diagonal, used either separately or in combination) that should guide pedestrians into proper crossing paths.
(ii) Unmarked crosswalk. That part of a roadway, other than a marked crosswalk which is included within the extensions of the sidewalk lines between opposite sides of the roadway at an intersection, if (A) the roadway crosses through the intersection and does not end at the intersection, and/or (B) all traffic on the opposing roadway is controlled by a traffic control device. Cruising.”
Can you answer the following crosswalk questions correctly?
What is a stop line?
A stop line is a single white line painted across the travel lane that signals where to stop your car before reaching a crosswalk. It creates a buffer zone between the stop line and crosswalk so pedestrians can safely cross the street.
“The stop lines (or bar) only apply to moving vehicles and do not define a crosswalk.” Transit Sam at Downtown Express.
The stop line in the image in the prior tab was correctly painted because it did not extend from curb to curb. A stop line should only be painted across the traffic lane.
Four-corner crosswalk with four stop lines
The image below has four stop lines. Two stop lines extend across the travel lane of a two-directional roadway. At the same time, two stop lines extend across the entire roadway because it is a one-way street with travel lanes in only one direction.
Is the white SUV below parked in the crosswalk?
Close call. If any part of the car breaks the plane of the marked crosswalk, the driver is toast. What do you think? Would you risk parking like this?
Are both cars in the image below parked legally?
Yessiree! The white car parked safely in the buffer zone without touching the crosswalk line—the blue car parked on the stop line was perfectly legal.
Kudos to the drivers of both cars.
Can a bike lane be located in front of a stop line?
Yessiree.
Is the vehicle below parked in an unmarked crosswalk?
The rules prohibit parking in a marked or a UNMARKED crosswalk. The front of the car in the above image breaks the plane of the stop line, but does the front bumper break the plane of the unmarked crosswalk? (In my humble opinion, no, because there is a small area of curb space between the unmarked crosswalk and the stop line…Risky business parking there!
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What Everybody Ought to Know about these Weird NYC Crosswalks
Commentary
I urge you to master the meaning of road markings, or you will be hit with costly parking tickets. Remember:
- You can park at a curb cut if there isn’t a marked crosswalk (and traffic control devices or traffic signs regulating traffic on the long street)
- It is never, ever legal to park in a safety zone, even if there is a parking sign permitting parking. A safety zone trumps a parking sign in Parking Ticket Land
- It is legal to stop, stand, or park in the buffer zone between stop lines and crosswalks
- If your wheel rests on one of the parallel lines of a crosswalk, you are toast
- If any part of your chariot breaks the plane of a crosswalk (such as your bumper), you are toast
Knowledge is power…Park safely
My lucky number is #7 (it started with Mickey Mantle). What’s yours? Meanwhile, here’s a guide with Larry’s 7 greatest tips to help you park safely and avoid those nasty NYC parking tickets.
Click on the pretty button below, and the guide is yours. I hope these 7 tips are lucky for you, too.
Wasn’t the initial purpose of stop lines supposed to be so that vehicles would stop far enough from the intersection to allow large vehicles like buses and trucks to turn without clipping the vehicle? As such, they were only located on 2 way streets. Now, from what I understand (which was confirmed by the NYPD Captain I spoke to) the new reason for stop lines is to provide a buffer zone, so vehicles do not stop too close to the crosswalk. And now, when located at an intersection controlled by a stop sign (not a traffic light) vehicles have to stop twice-once at the stop line then again at the stop sign.
How come it used to be considered safe for cars to simply stop at the crosswalk-but now pedistrians need more room from stopped vehicles to feel safe? (The same goes for bike lanes. When I was growing up, we were taught how to ride in traffic and obey the rules and laws. Now, people don’t feel safe doing that anymore and need special bike lanes)
Meanwhile, pedistrians are stumbling around with their eyes fixed on their cell phones, oblivious to the surrounding environment and blindly walking into the street midblock and against the light into oncoming traffic. And bicyclists are wearing headphones and more focused on listening to the music from their cell phones then paying attention to what is going on around them.
What is wrong with this generation?
Lee,
You got my vote, Mayor Lee. Has a nice ring to it.
Always a pleasure to read your thoughts and ideas.
Regards,
Larry
Of course you don’t have to stop twice (not that you’ll in reality stop even once!). You simply stop in the 5 feet area before the stop line. Then, if there’s no pedestrian, you simply go.
In my estimation, 99.9% of Americans fail to stop legally (which would entail coming to a complete halt at or up to 5 feet before the stop line). By the way, stopping involved the wheels ceasing movement… it’s when you (would) feel that little jolt as the brakes grab.
The USA (and maybe Canada) are the only countries that are obsessed with stop signs. Everywhere else is realistic and uses yield (give way) signs. Where driving all over the UK, I saw ONE stop sign in the entire country In a week period. People don’t stop at stop signs in the USA, because they are way over used when it should be a yield sign.
I just got into an argument with a neighbor about this. I was warming up my car and it was parked on the stop line, when he asked me “do you always park in the crosswalk?” I then explained that the line I was parked on did not apply to parking and that I had verified this with the traffic police who issue the tickets. He would not accept this and said that if he ever saw my car parked like this he’d call the cops on me. Of course, after that threat, I had to double verify that I was correct and I found this informative post. Thank you, if I run into the neighbor again I’ll be sure to pass along this enlightening article (though I suspect he still won’t accept it).
Hi Matthew,
Man, I never understood why people fight so hard to protect their bad, uninformed opinions. Thank you for the feedback about my blog post. I’m glad it was helpful.
Regards,
Larry
I was once told by a police officer that the crosswalk lines drawn on the street are not what determines a crosswalk. He said it was the building line or fence line along the sidewalk. The logic was that a blind person or someone with a pram or wheelchair could continue walking in a straight line along the sidewalk and onto the street without encountering a parked car.
Hi Bill,
Good morning.
The NYC Traffic Rules distinguish a marked from an unmarked crosswalk, as follows:
Crosswalk.
(i) Marked crosswalk. That part of a roadway defined by two parallel lines or highlighted by a pattern of lines (perpendicular, parallel or diagonal used either separately or in combination) that is intended to guide pedestrians into proper crossing paths.
(ii) Unmarked crosswalk. That part of a roadway, other than a marked crosswalk, which is included within the extensions of the sidewalk lines between opposite sides of the roadway at an intersection, if (A) the roadway crosses through the intersection and not ending at the intersection, and/or (B) all traffic on the opposing roadway is controlled by a traffic control device.
At Denton Ave/Hillside Ave intersection (traffic cameras on both sides of 2 lanes 2 way road, there are 2 thin (unpainted, looks like chalked) lines on Hillside Ave heading east observed before the thick painted white line flanking the zebra crossing for the pedestrians. Are we supposed to come to a stop before these lines, or are we allowed to go past these and stop for the red light before the thick white line? These newly marked thin lines if crossed, within a minute of crossing gives the dreaded perception of a camera flash for such stopped cars. Don’t know or can’t tell if the flash was for this or for some others in violation while crossing the intersection at the same time. The camera doesn’t get triggered right away when these thin chalked like lines are crossed but well before the thick white traditional painted line flanking the pedestrian crosswalk. Much appreciate a clear answer whether we are now supposed to stop a few feet away from the painted thick white line traditionally observed. Incidentally these chalked like thin lines only appear on the eastbound lanes and are marked only between the 2 passing lanes, and not extending further on the right on the turning rightmost lane. Thanks in advance.
Hi VB,
Good morning.
Here’s the Traffic Rule for Stop Lines…
VAT – Vehicle & Traffic
Title 7 – RULES OF THE ROAD
Article 29 – (1170 – 1176) SPECIAL STOPS REQUIRED
1172 – Stop signs and yield signs.
Universal Citation: NY Veh & Traf L § 1172 (2015)
1172. Stop signs and yield signs. (a) Except when directed to
proceed by a police officer, every driver of a vehicle approaching a
stop sign shall stop at a clearly marked stop line, but if none, then
shall stop before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the
intersection, or in the event there is no crosswalk, at the point
nearest the intersecting roadway where the driver has a view of the
approaching traffic on the intersecting roadway before entering the
intersection and the right to proceed shall be subject to the provisions
of section eleven hundred forty-two.
(b) The driver of a vehicle approaching a yield sign if required for
safety to stop shall stop at a clearly marked yield line, but if none,
then shall stop before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the
intersection, or in the event there is no crosswalk, at the point
nearest the intersecting roadway where the driver has a view of the
approaching traffic on the intersecting roadway before entering the
intersection and the right to proceed shall be subject to the provisions
of section eleven hundred forty-two of this title.
As far as parking is concerned…You can park your chariot next to the curb in the space between a stop line and crosswalk line, as long as you don’t break the plane of the crosswalk line with your car’s bumper.
Regards,
Larry
I once asked a Traffic Agent (NYCPD) if a car, having its bumper past a crosswalk line, really on top of it, if the car was parked in a crosswalk. He told me that it wasn’t, that it was the position of the wheels themselves that determines if a car is parked in a crosswalk: the bumper can “break the plane” of a crosswalk line, not the wheels. What is the truth? I’ve seen so many cars, in NYC doing this, with not a single one getting a ticket. Is it the bumper or the wheel’s position that decides if the car is parking in a crosswalk or was the Ticket Agent wrong?
Hi S.M.
Good morning.
Your question is excellent and one of my most frequent inquiries.
I haven’t been able to find a definitive answer to this question. However, my position is that it is the bumper, not the wheels that will trigger a crosswalk violation.
Here are some other similar situations:
Distance from a fire hydrant_bumper, not wheels
Parking in a restricted zone_bumper, not wheels
Parking in front of a pedestrian ramp_bumper, not wheels
Parking in a safety zone_bumper, not wheels
The language of the rule prohibits parking in a crosswalk but doesn’t define whether it’s the bumper or wheels. And, parking in a no standing zone is prohibited but doesn’t define whether it’s bumper or wheels. Yet, I can assure you that arguing that your bumper and not your wheels extended into the prohibited zone will fall on deaf ears.
Regards,
Larry
For what it’s worth, I live in Manhattan and have been told the same thing (tire, not bumper) by a local ticket officer.
Hi Michael,
Thanks for sharing the valuable information. I hope you and the police officer are correct. However, I have a big but…
I’ve received many comments about trusting parking advice from officers or warriors. And, it rarely works out. For example, is it safe to park here? Yes says the officer. And, then issues a ticket.
I can picture the scene where a person parks with his tires behind the crosswalk line and the front of his car sticking into the crosswalk blocking pedestrian traffic.
I don’t know, I would never park with any portion of my car extending into the crosswalk and then claim that my tires didn’t touch the line (as a defense).
I’m old and a little more jaundice about that (see, https://newyorkparkingticket.com/who-else-wants-answers-to-these-nyc-parking-ticket-questions/)
Again, thanks so much for sharing in the conversation, Michael.
Regards,
Larry
On this NY DMV page, it says parking or standing is not allowed within 20 feet of a crosswalk or within 30 feet of a traffic light or stop sign: https://dmv.ny.gov/about-dmv/chapter-7-parallel-parking
How does that work? I’ve never seen anyone following these rules before, and they seem to contradict the info on this page.
Hi Maneki,
Good morning. Great question.
I am aware of the existence of these two restrictions. However, I’m 68 years old, practicing law for 40 years, including the last seven years fighting NYC parking tickets,
and I’ve never, ever heard from a client or friend or website visitor that received a violation for parking within 20 feet of a crosswalk or 30 feet of a traffic signal.
Can you imagine the number of tickets that would be issued per day for parking between the stop line and crosswalk?
I’ll leave you to draw your own conclusion about whether it’s safe…Good luck.
Regards,
Larry
I live in my neighbor(westchester) for about 4 years and I just parked my car literally 2 feet behind the stop line because on the other side of the road they clean the street on Tuesday at 8am and everybody used to parked there, when I get of my car there was a neighbor who told me that last week he parked right where I was at and he got a ticket for parking (under 20 feet from crosswalk), I’m a little confused know.
I’m always confused about the situation you described, Dianne. Before I begin, are you talking about a traffic ticket or parking ticket?
Looking forward to your reply. Regards, Larry
Hi Larry,
Got a ticket for a bus stop violation. However my vehicle was parked right after a crosswalk sign. What is the rule for bust stop and a crosswalk? Does the crosswalk disrupt rule that a bus stop sign is in effect until the next parking sign?
Hi Weyling,
Good morning. Great question.
I am sorry that I don’t have a definitive answer.
As you correctly stated, the rule(s) displayed on a parking sign regulates the curb space from the parking sign in the direction of the arrow(s) until the next [parking] sign or if none, the end of the block. However, I am not certain whether the law/rule includes the word, “parking.” And, I can’t find the rule (old man).
My experience tells me the rule pertains to parking signs, only. But, it may be worth a shot to argue that the crosswalk sign ends the bus stop zone.
Good thinking, Weyling. Please keep me posted.
Regards,
Larry
i just received a ticket for parking on an unfinished cross walk which is very confusing i looks more like a parking wide enough for a car to park on that curve which there one one parked there but further to the front.
What about this style of crosswalk? It was recently added in Astoria, and I’ve seen plenty of people find their cars ticketed even when their cars were clearly not breaking the marked white lines:
https://imgur.com/LJIN8zH
Hey John,
Yikes. This style of the crosswalk, plus the:
-Missing lines
-Pedestrian ramp
-Absence of a white line border
Is an ambush!
I would leave plenty of room between my bumper and spot where the white border lines generally live.
Thanks for the heads up, John.
Regards,
Larry
Firs
I am a frequent pedestrian in NYC and was told that if a pedestrian is in the crosswalk on a green light, turning cars cannot enter the crosswalk. Do you have any information or citation on this topic? Thank you.
Hi, Bill,
That’s my understanding, too.
Here’s a citation, NYS Vehicle and Traffic Law (VTL), §1151 Failure to yield to a pedestrian.
Here’s a link to a helpful article on the subject Yield to Pedestrian
Good luck.
Regards,
Larry
I drive a commercial vehicle that makes deliveries. I received a ticket for blocking the crosswalk. Am I able to dismiss such a ticket?
Hi, Mike,
Good morning.
Did you park in the crosswalk?
If so, I would check for omitted, misdescribed, or illegible required elements. If you find one or more, you’re entitled to a dismissal upon application subject to presenting the proper proof.
Good luck.
Regards,
Larry
I failed my road test when I did not stop before the white line, but stopped before the stop sign. I was not even in car 5 minutes and was during a blizzard. I luckily passed next go round but was pissed and confused to why I must stop ten feet back before stop sign and not at stop sign like I though. Now after reading this I feel examiner just wanted out the snow. Anyway I got my license and just parked in buffer zone and came here to make sure. Thank you.
Hi, Jacob,
Good morning.
Killer roadway markings. Yikes!
You are technically supposed to stop before the stop line when you are operating your chariot.
But, you are permitted to park in the buffer zone between the stop line and crosswalk line.
Good luck.
Regards,
Larry
I am a resident in NYC and have to park my car on street. I parked my car on a road that was legal at the time and by the next day, there was a newly painted crosswalk AROUND my car and a ticket. There were no signs or indicators that I could not park my car there or that there was going to be street work. Do you think I have potential to dispute this? I took plenty of pictures
Hi Kathy,
I am totally dumbfounded. They painted a crosswalk around your car and then gave you a parking ticket. Stupefied!
I would absolutely fight the dumb ticket. Please be sure to offer proof that there was no crosswalk when you parked there.
Let us know the outcome of your fight for justice.
Good luck.
Regards,
Larry
I have a question about residential areas. In my neighborhood, there are people who park right at the Stop signs, even when there is plenty of room to park elsewhere. Today I was driving home through the neighborhood and noticed a car parked not only right at a Stop sign, but right on top of the white Stop line as well. As far as I know, the driver wasn’t standing/idling there temporarily; they were actually parked, engine off and most likely inside the house nearby. From what I could tell there were plenty of other available places to park so it wasn’t as if the driver was limited to this small area. Is this legal?
(I’m not about to rat anyone out, it’s just been a pet peeve of mine for a while and wondering about the legality of it)
Hi JMac,
Good afternoon.
Yes. There is a rule against parking too close to a stop sign. But, I’m afraid it is more honored in the breach:
My car was towed. I retrieved it the next day and had to pay a $185 tow fee. Didn’t realize I was handed a ticket with the paid bill when I paid the tow fee. It is for $115 and all it says is crosswalk. Was wondering why I did not have to pay this when paying the tow fee. I am trying to find out exactly how much was in the crosswalk, if any. This was in front of my house. There is a stop line which I believe you can park over. Wish I had a video.
Hi Margaret,
Good afternoon.
Sorry to learn about your ticket and tow pain.
Firstly, you are not required to pay for the stupid ticket when you pick up your car. You have a right to fight the ticket if you can figure out a winning defense.
Secondly, you are correct about the stop line. You can park your car in the area between the stop line and the crosswalk.
Meanwhile, something sounds “fishy.” I’m happy to take a look at the ticket and let you know what I think (no charge). You can email me a photo of the ticket if you’d like ([email protected]).
Be safe.
Regards,
Larry