How Many Feet Can You Park From A Stop Sign?

Knowing traffic rules will help you avoid many problems and save time and money. As a driver, you need to know where to park your car, and at what distance from an intersection, a driveway, or a crosswalk. Let’s recall the driving regulations related to stop signs. 

What Is A Stop Sign, And Where Is It Usually Located?

A stop sign means that driving without stopping before the stop line and the crossing carriageway’s edge is prohibited. The driver must give way to vehicles moving on the crossing and, in some cases, on the main road. Usually, there’s always a sign in front of a railway crossing or quarantine post. 

Note that a stop is obligatory if a sign is placed at the crossing of the carriageways, namely, at the stop line (if it’s drawn on the road’s surface); if it’s not there, you don’t have to stop at the sign. The driver may roll through the sign, but not no further than the crossings’ boundary.

If there are traffic lights, you can ignore the sign.

How Many Feet Can You Park From A Stop Sign?

According to the Vehicle and Traffic Law Section 1202 (2), no person shall stand or park a vehicle, whether occupied or not, except momentarily to pick up or discharge a passenger or passengers within 30 feet upon the approach to any flashing signal, stop or yield sign or traffic-control signal located at the side of the roadway, unless a different distance is indicated by official signs, markings or parking meters.

It means you may park at a distance of 30+ feet from such a sign. Also, remember that you would still need 3 or 4 feet of space from any crosswalk and at least one car length of space from an intersection, 15 feet from a fire hydrant, 20 feet from a crosswalk at an intersection, 20 feet from a fire station driveway, 50 feet from a railroad crossing, and as much as 75 feet from a fire station on the opposite side.

But how can you accurately measure 30 feet? The principle is pretty simple: if you aren’t sure the distance is sufficient, park further away. After all, not every driver carries a tape around or is good at estimating distance. 

Will You Be Fined If You Park Close To A Stop Sign?

Parking too close to a stop sign can result in a $60 fine for the first violation and $120 for each subsequent violation. Alternatively, you can find a paid parking spot or a parking garage. While this might seem expensive, it’s cheaper than racking up a lot of fines, and you have the peace of mind of knowing you always have your own spot to leave the automobile at.

What if you try to outwit the traffic police? Many people do so, but almost always to no avail. The emergency alarm is considered an attribute of a forced stop. Another attribute is an emergency stop sign. So if you park in a prohibited place for technical or other objective reasons, you must follow all instructions. 

The inspectors can’t be fooled, and, having seen emergency lights on the car, which is parked closer than 30 feet before a stop sign, they will measure the distance and issue a ticket. You will then have to prove that the stop was forced. So attempting to avoid punishment this way is not a good idea.

Summary

Proper parking near a stop sign may not come to you as easily as you think. In addition to the required distance, there are several nuances you need to consider. Disregarding them can lead to a ticket, even if you stopped at what seems to be sufficient distance from the sign. In most cases, it is better to stop right in front of the line drawn on the road. However, there are separate rules when there are conflicting indicators.

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