Stopping

Where to stop at intersections, stopping for school buses, at railway crossings and behind streetcars, and stopping safely.

Stopping

• Wait until signal lights stop flashing and the gate is fully raised. Never drive around, under or through a gate that is down, lowering or rising.
• Never drive around, under or through a railway gate while it is down. A train may be closer and faster than it looks.
• Unless the road has a median, drivers from both directions must stop for a school bus with its red lights flashing.
• At a pedestrian crossover, drivers must stop and yield the whole roadway. Go only after the pedestrian is safely on the sidewalk.
• Avoid stopping on railway tracks. Before you start across, make sure there is enough room on the other side to clear the crossing completely.
• Stop at the stop line if there is one. If not, stop at the crosswalk; if there is no crosswalk, at the edge of the sidewalk; if no sidewalk, at the edge of the intersection.
• At a pedestrian crossover you must wait until pedestrians (and any crossing guard) have completely crossed the road and are safely on the sidewalk.
• With no stop line, crosswalk or sidewalk, stop at the edge of the intersection. Then wait until the way is clear.
• On a road with a median strip, only vehicles coming from behind the bus must stop. Oncoming drivers should still watch for children.
• The school bus law applies on any road, whatever the number of lanes or speed limit, at any time of day. Without a median, traffic in both directions must stop.
• You must stop for a school bus with flashing red lights on any road, regardless of the number of lanes or the speed limit, at any time.
• On a road with a median strip, only vehicles coming from behind the bus must stop. Without a median, traffic from both directions stops.
• When coming from behind a stopped school bus with red lights flashing, stop at least 20 m away so children can get on or off safely.
• You must not pass any vehicle within 30 m of a pedestrian crossover, because the vehicle you pass may be stopping for a pedestrian you cannot see.
• If a train is coming, stop at least 5 m from the nearest rail or gate, and do not cross until you are sure all trains have passed.
• Flashing lights mean a train is coming. Stop at least 5 m from the nearest rail or gate and wait until the lights stop flashing; never drive around, under or through a lowered gate.
• When approaching from behind, stop at least 20 m from the bus. Do not go until the bus moves or the lights stop flashing.
• Failing to stop for a school bus with red lights flashing can bring a heavy fine and 6 demerit points for a first offence.
• If a train is coming, stop at least 5 m from the nearest rail or gate. Do not cross until the train has passed and it is safe.
• Never drive around, under or through a railway gate while it is down, being lowered or being raised. Wait until it is up and the lights stop.
• At any railway crossing, slow down, listen and look both ways. If a train is coming, stop at least 5 m from the nearest rail.
• It is illegal and dangerous to drive around, under or through a railway gate while it is down, being lowered or being raised.
• At a railway crossing with a stop sign, you must stop unless a flagman directs you otherwise. Look both ways and cross only when it is safe.
• Pedestrian crossovers are designated areas that let pedestrians cross roads safely where there are no traffic lights.
• Stop at the stop line if there is one. If not, stop at the crosswalk; with no crosswalk, at the edge of the sidewalk; with no sidewalk, at the edge of the intersection.

Driving near railway crossings

• Another train may follow or come from the other direction. Cross only when you are sure every train has passed.
• Stop at least 5 m from the nearest rail or gate, and wait until the train has passed and it is safe.
• Changing gears on the tracks could stall the engine and leave you stuck. Choose your gear before you reach them.
• Never stop on railway tracks. Cross only when there is space for your entire vehicle on the other side.
• School buses must stop at all railway crossings. Be ready to stop behind the bus.

Read this part of the official handbook on Ontario.ca →