What is the white solid line in front of the sidewalk?

[AnthonyLee]

The white solid line in front of the sidewalk is the boundary line of the motor vehicle lane. Lane dividing line: It is a traffic marking used to separate traffic flows moving in the same direction, usually consisting of white dashed or solid lines, or yellow dashed or solid lines. White dashed lines separate lanes moving in the same direction, allowing lane changes or overtaking when safe. White solid line: Also separates lanes moving in the same direction, but lane changes are not allowed. Yellow solid lines separate lanes moving in opposite directions, and sometimes separate lanes moving in the same direction. They can serve as dividing lines or center lines, and lane changes are not allowed. Yellow dashed lines can also serve as dividing lines or center lines, allowing lane changes when used as dividing lines.

[LeAvery]

Ah, this white line is all too familiar to me—my driving instructor used to emphasize it repeatedly with a loudspeaker. That prominent solid white line in front of the crosswalk is called the stop line, and it acts like a silent traffic officer. When the traffic light turns red at an intersection, your front wheels must obediently stop behind this line. This is especially crucial for right-turning vehicles; many drivers assume they can turn directly if there’s no red light, but in reality, they must come to a complete stop behind the line and observe the pedestrian crossing. Just last week, I saw a car turning right while straddling the line, nearly hitting a mother pushing a stroller. Remember, this line also serves as a safety buffer for pedestrians, and electric scooters that fail to brake in time often leave scratches here.

[DiMaverick]

As a parent who drives my kids to school every day, I have a deep appreciation for this white line. It works in tandem with the crosswalk, like a pair of safety guardian brothers. When driving, you must come to a complete stop before the solid line—no coasting or rolling forward. One rainy day, the car in front of me stopped far behind the white line, and the cars behind started honking impatiently. But that driver was actually correct—stopping early prevents splashing pedestrians with puddle water from the white line zone. Nowadays, many newly painted lines even have raised bumps that vibrate when driven over, serving as a thoughtful tactile reminder—a very user-friendly design.

[EleanorFitz]

While watching short videos, I came across a traffic police science popularization segment. The key point of this white line lies in its position and distance. Its width is generally around 40 centimeters, and it is usually painted three to five meters away from the crosswalk. Why leave this gap? It provides turning vehicles with a clear view of pedestrians while preventing the front of the car from blocking the pedestrian pathway. Extra caution is needed when driving in the rain, as the reflective paint becomes particularly noticeable when wet. I remember when I first started driving, I often struggled with judging the stopping distance. Later, I discovered that when the lower edge of the rearview mirror just covers the white line, the front of the car is exactly two meters away from it—a handy trick new drivers can try.