Four-way stop not a courtesy contest

When you enter an intersection with four-way stop signs, you haven’t entered a contest. No, these safety stops are not designed to be tests of will, patience, aggression, or timidity — they are there to stop and control traffic at busy intersections. Often, however, they are places of confusion, uncertainty and anger.

Usually, the familiar, unambiguous two-way stop is sufficient to establish right-of-way, and safe traffic control. When traffic count, or accident frequency reaches a certain threshold, however, four-way stops are implemented to reduce collisions. We “enjoy” quite a few of these intersections around here (not to be confused with the unmarked or uncontrolled intersections, which are also plentiful), and many drivers don’t know how to behave when there.

Here’s what the Washington Driver Guide (like most states) has to say about the topic:

“At a four-way stop the driver reaching the intersection first, goes first (after coming to a complete stop). If more than one vehicle arrives at the same time, the vehicle on the right goes first.” That sounds really easy, but I’ll admit, it’s not always that simple.

For starters, if one vehicle stops, then second and third vehicles arrive and stop in rapid succession, everyone usually just sits there; none has given proper attention to which driver actually arrived first. This situation then degenerates into several stutter-footed stops-and-goes by the drivers involved, until someone finally floors it out of frustration to clear the intersection.

The key to avoiding this game of “Who’s the Most Polite?” is to pay close attention to the arrival order of the vehicles, and then depart in that order. Of course, that is hard to do if one is talking on the phone or eating lunch.

If more than one vehicle arrives at the same time, the driver of the vehicle on the left should yield to the driver of the vehicle on the right, according to the Driver Guide. Again I’ll admit there’s some gray area here. The various states conveniently leave out the situation that often occurs at busy four-way stops: four cars arrive and stop at the same time. No one got there first, and everyone is on someone’s right. To avoid consternation, I usually gas it immediately in these cases, taking advantage of others’ hesitation, as they remain stopped. This works great, unless another driver uses the same method, then we revert to the multiple, continuous gas-and-brake stabs, until one of us has the nerve to stay on the gas.

The four-way stop usually works well for stopping the traffic — getting it going again seems to be the problem. Yesterday, I sat behind a vehicle that let five cars go before proceeding; I’d say that they are not doing it right. Also yesterday, I sat three cars back in a four-way stop lineup, and when the first car in my line went, the second car (the one in front of me) went on through the intersection too; I would say that they are not doing it right, either. One must combine the rules of the road with common sense to properly handle these stops. Whatever rules these two drivers used were wrong, and common sense was absent.

As typical with all driving, you have to be thinking about what you are doing to negotiate intersections with four-way stops. The next time you approach one, try to concentrate on who got there first.

Cell Phones Again

Last week’s paper reported that area school principals were calling for a voluntary cell phone ban near their schools. The cry comes as a result of the congestion that takes place when students are dropped off and picked up at school parking lots. I agree that we must afford full attention to the operation of our vehicles, especially when driving them among these often excited and unthinking little kids.

Recently, on the premise that driving requires your full attention, AAA has recommended that drivers use their cell phones only when absolutely necessary. There is good news about cell phones — they will enhance your driving experience in case you need directions, encounter emergencies, or suffer vehicle failure.

Reader Input

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