Where voluntary stopping is prohibited

Purpose and essential terms

Stopping is bringing the vehicle to a standstill. A short passenger pickup can still be a prohibited voluntary stop, even if you keep the engine running. Stopping in a narrow or poorly visible place can leave approaching traffic with too little room to avoid you.

Distinguish a stop you choose for convenience from one needed to obey traffic controls, avoid a collision or respond to circumstances beyond your control. The exceptions exist for those circumstances, not to justify photographs, messages or loading in a dangerous place.

Key idea: Stopping is bringing the vehicle to a standstill.

How to apply the rule

Do not stop voluntarily in a tunnel or subway, on a bridge, or within 6 metres of these structures. Avoid the constricted part of a roadway and the 6-metre approaches to its beginning and end. Do not stop within a railway reserve at a level crossing or within 9 metres on the approach to a demarcated pedestrian crossing.

Also check whether stopping beside an excavation, obstruction or another vehicle would obstruct or endanger traffic. The manual prohibits stopping alongside or opposite another vehicle where the roadway is less than 9 metres wide, and stopping on the right facing oncoming traffic. Obey no-stopping signs and markings.

Key idea: Do not make a voluntary stop on the bridge.

Conditions and easily confused points

The 6-metre bridge clearance is a stopping rule, while the 5-metre urban-intersection distance is a parking rule. Do not substitute one for the other. A voluntary stop is unacceptable anywhere it creates danger or obstruction, even if the place is not named in a short list.

If an emergency forces a stop, protect people, warn traffic when safe and obtain assistance. Do not create a second danger by standing in a live traffic lane.

Key idea: Apply the full rule to the actual vehicle, road and conditions.

Quick recap

• Do not make a voluntary stop on the bridge.
• Continue to a permitted place beyond the restricted approach.
• Check traffic and the passenger’s exit route before stopping.