Must You Cross the Stop Line When Turning Right?
3 Answers
You must cross the stop line when turning right. If you turn right without crossing the stop line, you may obstruct vehicles on the right, so turning right before the stop line is not allowed. Below are the relevant details: The stop line in the right-turn lane primarily applies to large trucks, which must stop before the stop line to observe the surrounding conditions and ensure there are no pedestrians or other vehicles before proceeding. Otherwise, it will be considered a traffic violation and subject to penalties. This is a clear stipulation in the Road Traffic Law, mainly to prevent injuries to pedestrians caused by blind spots when large vehicles turn right. The stop line is a solid white line across the road at intersections (primarily traffic light intersections), indicating the position where vehicles should wait for the signal to proceed. Vehicles must not cross or press down on the stop line. Additionally, on some roads with intersections, you may see double solid white lines accompanied by a 'Stop' sign. These double white lines also serve as stop lines, meaning vehicles must stop at this intersection to give priority to vehicles on the main road.
I remember when I first started driving, I often overlooked the stop line when making right turns at intersections, which earned me harsh criticism from my instructor. The stop line is a crucial signal that must never be ignored—under any right-turn scenario, you must come to a complete stop before it. Traffic rules mandate this to ensure drivers have ample time to observe intersection conditions. For instance, stopping prevents collisions with pedestrians crossing at crosswalks or sudden e-bike appearances. After ten years of driving, I’ve seen too many drivers assume they can glide through right turns without stopping, only to cause minor accidents or get ticketed by police. Safety always comes first; forming this habit isn’t just about obeying the law—it protects lives. Never underestimate a white line—it might save yours in a critical moment.
Last month, while making a right turn on my way to the supermarket, I almost failed to stop at the stop line—fortunately, I braked in time to avoid an accident. That experience taught me that the stop line is a non-negotiable requirement; you must come to a complete stop before turning. Later, when chatting with a friend, he mentioned getting fined and penalized for not stopping fully last time. In fact, no matter which direction you're turning, the rule applies—right turns are no exception. The stop line is your warning sign. Ignoring it could lead to collisions if luck runs out, and a fine would be the least of your worries. Now, at every intersection, I silently count to three before moving—it’s much safer. Remembering this small rule can prevent big troubles, especially in crowded cities with chaotic traffic. Making stopping a habit should be second nature.
