At what location should a vehicle make its initial stop at a red light?

Making an initial stop at a red light before the sidewalk is critical for ensuring pedestrian safety and adequate visibility. This stopping point allows drivers to assess the traffic conditions and pedestrian movements before proceeding, if permitted. The intention is to maximize safety by ensuring that vehicles do not encroach into pedestrian areas where individuals may be crossing. Stopping at this designated point also helps maintain the flow of traffic and ensures compliance with traffic regulations.

While stopping at the crosswalk could be plausible, doing so may endanger pedestrians who are legally crossing or waiting at the crosswalk. Stopping in the intersection is not safe or legal, as it obstructs the flow of traffic and can lead to accidents. Lastly, stopping at a stop sign does not apply in the context of a red traffic signal since the stop sign is a different traffic control device. Therefore, stopping before the sidewalk is the appropriate and safest action when a driver comes to a red light.