ORLANDO, Fla. – News 6 traffic safety expert Trooper Steve answers viewer questions and shares tips about the rules of the road, helping Central Florida residents become better drivers by being better educated.
Trooper Steve on Thursday was asked, “Where do I actually stop... stop sign or stop bar?”
“One of the most common questions I get from viewers is about the difference between a stop sign and a stop bar. The truth is, it’s not about which one is more important. It’s about how they work together,” he said. “Florida law spells this out clearly. Under Florida Statute 316.123, drivers approaching a stop sign are required to come to a complete stop and then yield the right of way to other traffic. But what many drivers don’t realize is where that stop is supposed to happen.”
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According to Trooper Steve, if there’s a white stop bar painted on the roadway, that’s going to be your required stopping point.
“The stop bar is not optional and it’s not just there for decoration. It’s placed intentionally by traffic engineers to show drivers exactly where they should come to a complete stop before moving forward,” he said.
[ASK TROOPER STEVE: Send your question to Trooper Steve]
You’ll notice stop bars positioned before crosswalks, intersections or railroad crossings. Trooper Steve says that placement is deliberate.
“Authorities want drivers to stop before entering areas where pedestrians, trains or cross traffic may be present. Rolling past the stop bar and stopping later, even at the sign itself, can still put you in violation of the law,” he said.
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Stopping at a stop sign is actually a two-part process, according to Trooper Steve.
“First, you must come to a complete stop at the stop bar or, if no bar is present, before the crosswalk or intersection. Second, you must yield the right of way to other vehicles or pedestrians before proceeding,” he said. “And let’s be clear... a stop sign or stop bar means zero movement. Tires stop turning. The vehicle fully halts. This is not a yield sign, and it’s not a ‘California stop.’ Failing to fully stop can lead to citations, crashes and unnecessary close calls.”
To recap, the stop sign and stop bar aren’t competing. They’re actually working together to guide drivers safely through intersections.
“As drivers, understanding these small but critical details helps keep traffic flowing safely and protects everyone sharing the road,” Trooper Steve said. “Slow down, stop where you’re supposed to, and keep making safety a priority in 2026.”
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