* When a traffic officer orders the vehicle to stop
* When there is a yield sign, and traffic does not permit a safe merge
* When a school bus is picking up or letting off children and/or the red lights are flashing
* When coming from an alley, private driveway or building
* At a bridge span that is about to open for boat traffic
* For a blind pedestrian using a white or metallic walking cane, or a trained guide dog, or a guide dog instructor engaged in instructing a guide dog
* For a pedestrian in a crosswalk or at an intersection
* For a motorized wheelchair or mobility-assistance device in a crosswalk or at an intersection
Single white stop lines show motorists where to stop at stop signs or traffic signals.
Stop at Railroad Crossings
To ensure public safety, the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) and railroad companies mark public highway railroad crossings with one or more warning devices. Warning devices include advance warning signs, pavement markings in front of a railroad crossing, flashing lights (usually on railroad crossing signs), gates or gates with flashing lights, bells and flag signals.
A motorist must stop at least 15 feet from railroad crossings when there are flashing lights, ringing bells or flag signals. Descending gates or gates that have already been lowered indicate that a train is coming and a motorist must stop. A motorist should never attempt to cross until the gates have been raised and the lights have stopped flashing (N.J.S.A. 39:4-127.1).
All other commercial motor vehicles:
Some vehicles, such as school buses or vehicles carrying hazardous materials, must always stop at railroad crossings. When driving behind one of these vehicles, a motorist must be prepared to stop, even if signals do not indicate a train is coming (N.J.S.A. 39:4-128).
A motorist should never stop his/her vehicle on railroad tracks. If a vehicle stalls on the tracks, and the motorist sees a train coming, he/she should get out and walk clear of the tracks. Never try to race a train. Most trains need more than a mile to stop, if traveling at 60 mph or more.
Stop for School Buses (N.J.S.A. 39:4-128.1)
A motorist must stop for a school bus with flashing red lights. State law requires motorists to stop at least 25 feet away if he/she is traveling on a two-lane road or on a multi-lane highway where lanes are only separated by lines or on a privately maintained road. When traveling on a dual-lane highway, a motorist should slow to 10 mph if on the other side of a safety island or raised median.
Car must stop 25 feet away from school bus!
School buses are equipped with yellow (or amber) and red flashing lights. The yellow (or amber) lights go on before the bus stops, and the red lights go on when it has stopped. However, a motorist should not depend on these lights, however,
if driving behind a school bus. They may be malfunctioning.
When a bus stops, all motorists traveling behind or approaching it must stop their vehicles at least 25 feet away. A motorist should only proceed after the bus signals have been turned off, and even then, he/she must watch for children.
If a school bus has stopped directly in front of a school to pick up or let off children, a motorist may pass from either direction at a speed of no more than 10 mph.
Stop For Frozen Dessert Trucks (N.J.S.A. 39:4-128.4)
When approaching or overtaking an ice cream or frozen dessert truck from either direction, and the truck is flashing red lights and posting a stop signal arm, a motorist must:
* Yield the right-of-way to any person who is crossing the roadway to or from the truck.
* Watch out for children and be prepared to stop.
* Stop, then drive past the truck at a slow speed of no more than 15 mph.
A motorist need not stop on a dual highway if he/she is on the other side of a safety island or raised median.
Pull Over And Stop For Emergency Vehicles
New Jersey law requires all motorists to yield to emergency vehicles when they sound sirens and/or flashing red and/or blue emergency lights. A motorist should steer to the extreme right of the roadway, stop and wait for the vehicle to pass. Afterward, the motorist should keep at least 300 feet behind a signaling emergency vehicle (N.J.S.A. 39:4-92, 39:3-54.12).
Police cars, fire trucks, ambulances or other emergency vehicles have sirens and red lights. Private vehicles operated by volunteer fire and rescue squad members (with emergency vehicle identification) responding to an emergency call use blue lights. A motorist should never park within 200 feet of a fire department vehicle in service or drive over a fire hose unless directed to do so by a fire, emergency rescue or police official.
Using headlights
Proper use of headlights is critical to safe driving. Headlights must be used between one-half hour after sunset and one-half hour before sunrise. Headlights must also be used when visibility is 500 feet or less, when using windshield wipers (during rain, snow and ice) or when encountering fog, mist, smoke or other factors that reduce visibility (N.J.S.A. 39:3-46).
Being able to see clearly while driving is very important. A vehicles lights should always be in good working order and clean. Headlights help other motorists see approaching vehicles. Parking or auxiliary lights cannot legally be used in place of headlights when headlights are required.
Bright And Dim
Headlights have two sets of beams: bright (high) and dim (low), which are controlled by a switch or button on or near the dashboard. The bright beam is for open-country driving when there is no traffic in sight. The bright beam helps a motorist see farther ahead and peripherally or at a wider angle. At night, a motorists pupils are dilated, allowing more light to aid in the ability to see. Bright beams can momentarily blind other motorists by constricting the pupils and should not be used if other vehicles are approaching or when driving behind another vehicle. It can take three to five seconds for a motorist to recover from the glare of approaching high-beam headlights. At a speed of 50 mph, a motorist will have traveled the length of a football field while being unable to see. If a vehicle is approaching with high beams, a motorist should look to the right of the road until the vehicle passes. Never flash high beams at an approaching motorist.
The dim beams are used for city driving and driving in traffic on roadways. Dim beams are focused down on the road. Dim beams are used when traveling behind other vehicles or when another vehicle is approaching.
Other Types Of Lights
Parking lights: These lights are to be used for a short period of time, such as when a vehicle is left in a permitted zone, to show other motorists where a vehicle is parked. Parking lights are required on vehicles parked in areas other than business or residential zones.
Tail lights: These lights turn on at the same time as a vehicles headlights and parking lights. They become brighter when a motorist applies the brakes to show that he/she is slowing or stopping. During the day, without headlights, the taillights also turn on as a motorist applies the brakes.
Brake lights: These lights become brighter when a motorist applies the brakes, showing that the vehicle is slowing or stopping.
Interim (overhead) lights: Found inside the vehicle, these types of lights should be used only briefly (when necessary) when driving or to comply with a police officers request to illuminate the motorists compartment of the vehicle when stopped.
Dashboard lights: If dashboard lights are too bright, they may create a glare for the motorist and impede vision. The lights should be kept dim but still light enough for a motorist to read the dials.
Spotlights: These types of lights should be used only in emergencies. This also applies to emergency flashers (hazard lights). Spotlights may not be used for driving purposes.