The Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2002

Meaning of stop line and references to light signals

43.—(1) Subject to paragraphs (2) and (3), “stop line” in relation to light signals for the control of vehicular traffic means—

(a) in relation to any vehicle except a tramcar the road marking shown in diagram 1001 placed in conjunction with the light signals;

(b) in relation to a tramcar, the road marking shown in diagram 1001.1 placed in conjunction with those light signals, or when that marking has not been so placed, the marking shown in diagram 1001 so placed.

(2) Where the road marking shown in diagram 1001.2 has been placed in conjunction with light signals, “stop line” in relation to those light signals means—

(a) the first stop line, in the case of a vehicle (other than a pedal cycle proceeding in the cycle lane) which has not proceeded beyond that line; or

(b) the second stop line, in the case of a vehicle which has proceeded beyond the first stop line or of a pedal cycle proceeding in the cycle lane.

(3) Where no stop line has been provided in conjunction with light signals or the stop line is not visible, references in relation to those signals to the “stop line” are—

(a) in a case where the sign shown in diagram 7011, 7011.1 or 7027 is placed in conjunction with the light signals, to be treated as references to that sign; and

(b) in any other case, to be treated as references to the post or other structure on which the primary signals are mounted.

(4) A reference in this regulation or in regulations 33 to 42 to light signals, to the signals or to a signal of a particular colour is, where secondary signals as well as primary signals have been placed, a reference to the light signals displayed by both the primary and secondary signals or, as the case may be, by the primary signals operating without the secondary signals or by the secondary signals operating without the primary signals.

(5) In this regulation—

(a) “primary signals” means light signals erected on or near the carriageway of a road and—

(i) where a stop line is placed in conjunction with the signals, sited beyond that line and near one end or both ends of the line; or

(ii) where there is no stop line, sited at either edge or both edges of the carriageway or part of the carriageway which is in use by traffic approaching and controlled by the signals;

(b) “secondary signals” means light signals erected on or near the carriageway facing traffic approaching from the direction of the primary signals but sited beyond those signals as viewed from the direction of travel of such traffic; and

(c) in paragraph (2)—

(i) “the first stop line” means the transverse white line or lines appearing below the pedal cycle symbol in the road markings shown in either version of diagram 1001.2;

(ii) “the second stop line” means the transverse white line appearing above the pedal cycle symbol in the road markings shown in either version of that diagram; and

(iii) “the cycle lane” means the lane so marked in either version of that diagram.