Rules of the Road: How to Properly Cross a Four-Way Stop 

You’ve driven a car for, like…forever. Seems that way, anyway. So, of course, you know the four-way stop rules. Right? 

Believe it or not, many people seem to have forgotten the rules of a 4-way stop – you’ve probably had some spicy words when one of them cut you off. Keep reading for a quick review of how a four-way stop works –  and don’t forget to make sure you have the car insurance you need in case someone fails a real-life road test involving such a stop. 

What Is a Four-Way Stop? 

A four-way stop is simply an intersection in which the drivers on all four roads coming into the intersection have stop signs. 

These intersections are also called all way stops, and while they’re designed to keep things orderly, they can easily confuse even experienced drivers. 

Maybe “simply” isn’t the right word. Things can get a little dicey when more than one of the four spokes heading into the intersection has a vehicle waiting at a stop sign. 

The car that goes first is the one…that…no, wait…it’s the one that… 

It’s complicated. 

So, How Does a Four-Way Stop Work? 

Everyone hits the gas at the same time, squeals tires, and hopes to get through the intersection before anyone else does. And trusts that whatever type of insurance coverage they have will cover all damages if things don’t go as planned. 

Just kidding. Here’s a sensible set of rules that should remove both the stress and the major auto damage claims. If you’ve ever wondered who has the right of way at a four-way stop, you’re not alone. The answer depends on when and how each vehicle approaches the intersection—but don’t worry, we’ll walk you through it step by step. 

Rule #1: First to Arrive, First to Drive 

Sounds fair, doesn’t it? And simple. The first driver to get to their stop sign goes first. It’s like your first board game when you were a kid, learning to wait your turn. It’ll come. 

It’s not like two or more cars would ever arrive at the four-way intersection at the same time. That couldn’t possibly happen. Could it? 

Uh oh. 

Rule #2: Tie Goes to the Right 

It’s highly unlikely that four cars would all arrive at the intersection at the exact same time. But two certainly could. What then? 

The car to the right of the other goes first. Just because…someone has to. 

Rule #3: Straight Doesn’t Wait 

Now, imagine two drivers getting to the intersection at the same time from opposite directions. One is going straight through, while the other has signals to turn left at the intersection. What then? 

Think about how it works if you’re at a simple streetlight, two cars facing each other and waiting for the light to turn green. One car is going straight while the other is in the left-turn lane. The straight-ahead driver goes first, and the driver waiting to turn left cools their heels until the intersection is clear. 

Same four-way stop sign rule. If two cars arrive at about the same time and are waiting across from each other, the one going straight gets the nod. The left-turning driver waits until the four-way stop intersection is clear. 

Rule #4: Left Turn Yields to Right 

Two vehicles hit the intersection at the same time, one signaling to turn left. The other will make a right-hand turn. Let the right-turning driver go first, leftie. 

Rule #5: Let Courtesy and Common Sense Take the Wheel 

If a rude driver decides to go out of turn and you demand our legal right of way, you might be right but still in a jarring collision. 

Try to gauge what the other driver will do based on the movement of their vehicle or their body language. Are they waving you forward even though it’s not your turn? Give a thank-you wave and proceed with caution. 

If the other driver seems to be avoiding eye contact and their vehicle is obviously going for it — let them. A four-way intersection is no place for road rage. Besides, that other motorist might be going out of turn simply because they don’t know the rules of the road as well as you. 

Special Scenarios and Situations 

Follow the above rules, and you’ll be safe and assured at a four-way stop — usually. But there are exceptions. Here are a few. 

Handling Multiple Cars Arriving Simultaneously 

Stay cool! That’s the most important advice when all four intersection spokes are full and things get confusing. Some drivers might get impatient and proceed out of turn. Others might be ignorant of how the system is supposed to work. 

Try to make eye contact with other drivers to guess what they’re about to do. Do the right thing and hope that most other drivers do the same — but stay heads-up for whatever might happen. 

If you find that a particular four-way intersection is always challenging, plan a route that lets you bypass it and stay stress-free. 

Flashing Light vs. a Stop Sign 

Actually, there is no versus in this situation. Don’t let a flashing light throw you off your game. Treat the intersection as if it had a stop sign. 

When Pedestrians or Cyclists Are in the Intersection 

In an ideal world, people on foot or bicycles would treat the four-way intersection the same way you and other motorists do. They’d take their proper turns going through. But we don’t live in such a world. 

Those pedestrians and cyclists might be young people who have never learned the rules of the road and other safety laws. Or they think the rules only apply to motorized vehicles, not to their mode of transportation. 

Your safest bet is to assume that the walkers, runners, and pedal-pushers won’t follow the four-way stop sign rules of the road, so watch them carefully and expect anything. 

Four-Way Stops Are Confusing. Your Auto Insurance Shouldn’t Be. 

Do you have a better feel for the four-way stop rules? It can be a real head-scratcher. 

Your auto insurance, however, should be much more straightforward. It will be if you’re doing business with an auto insurance agent who’s knowledgeable and will patiently answer all of your questions and maybe ask a few of their own. 

Then, after getting a crystal-clear idea of our needs and budget, your agent will go shopping for coverage on your behalf. If you’re dealing with an independent agent, they have contractual relationships with multiple brand-name insurance carriers, so they’ll be able to bring you a selection of policies at the most affordable rates. 

Reach out to an independent agent at Acceptance Insurance. Call us at (877) 405-7102, or get a quick online quote. You can also find an Acceptance Insurance office near you. 

We’re in the business of easing confusion on the road and behind the wheel.