Did you know that around 70 percent of crashes at stop signs involve stop sign violations? In addition, over 25 percent of traffic fatalities occur at intersections.
One of the most common confusions regarding stop signs involves 4-way stops. You may be wondering about things such as:
- Who has the right of way at a four-way stop?
- Who goes first at a four-way stop sign?
- What are the 4-way intersection rules and laws?
This article will go into detail about how four-way stops work.
What Is a 4-Way Stop?
A 4-way stop is a system of traffic management requiring vehicles at all approaches to the intersection to come to a complete stop before they proceed through the intersection. This means that you as well as other drivers must stop before going through the intersection. Stop signs are typically found at every corner.
4-way stops are designed to be used in locations with low traffic volume.
Who Has the Right of Way at a 4-Way Stop?
According to the California Driver’s Handbook, if multiple cars arrive at an intersection, the first vehicle to arrive is given the right-of-way. Even when additional vehicles arrive before the first vehicle proceeds through, the first vehicle still gets precedence.
Other pedestrians, bicyclists and vehicles must wait for whoever is given the right-of-way.
However, as a matter of general driving safety, you should not assume that other drivers will follow the rules when you have the right-of-way. Remain aware at intersections, and when an aggressive driver proceeds into an intersection when you have the right-of-way, yielding to the other car can prevent collisions.
Drivers forfeit the right-of-way when pedestrians are present. Pedestrians are given the right-of-way in crosswalks, whether they are marked or unmarked.
When two cars arrive at a four-way stop at the exact same time, the person driving the car on the left needs to yield to the person driving the vehicle on the right, according to the California vehicle code.
This, however, doesn’t apply when:
- Intersections are controlled by yield signs, traffic signals or a traffic light
- Intersections don’t have stop signs at all directions
- Two vehicles arrive from opposite directions with one intending to turn left – in this situation, the driver turning left needs to yield to the car which is oncoming
When you or drivers of other cars fail to yield the right-of-way at four-way-stops, traffic infractions may be given, resulting in $238 fines and a point on the driver’s driving record.
Common Mistakes Made at 4-Way Stops
It is best to practice defensive driving, especially at 4-way stops. Defensive driving can prevent a car accident. You may find yourself in a dangerous situation if you make certain mistakes at 4-way stops.
Common mistake that drivers make at 4-way stops include:
Confusion: These intersections can cause confusion which can cause crashes.
Trusting turn signals: Just because cars arrived at an intersection using their turn signals doesn’t mean you should assume they’re going to do what they’re signaling they’re going to do. Part of driving defensively is expecting drivers to do the unexpected and being ready to react to it.
Not knowing who has the right-of-way: Every driver needs to know the rules regarding the right-of-way at a four-way stop and needs to follow traffic signs and signals the best they can.
Changing lanes in intersections: You should never change the lane you’re in while passing through intersections, regardless if you’re turning or going straight.
Prolonged stops: Chaos and traffic jams at intersections can be caused by prolonged stops at four-way stops when they confuse drivers.
Most Common Accidents at 4-Way Stops
When accidents occur at 4-way stops, they are often in the form of right-angle crashes, side-impact crashes, broadside crashes or t-bone crashes.
These can lead to devastating, potentially fatal injuries such as:
- Head injuries
- Thorax injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Internal injuries
- Blood loss
- Broken bones
FAQs
What Rules Apply to Pedestrians at 4-Way Stops?
Drivers in California need to exercise extra cautious around pedestrians, giving them the right-of-way.
Drivers need to always yield to pedestrians, even when pedestrians jaywalk by crossing the road illegally and failing to use marked crosswalks.
Blind pedestrians are always given the right-of-way.
Pedestrians should proactively take action to protect themselves before crossing the road at 4-way stops, such as by making eye contact with any drivers before they step out in front of the drivers.
What Are the Rules for Bicyclists at 4-Way Stops?
Bicyclists, under California law, have the same responsibilities and rights as motorists. This means that all of the above traffic laws which apply to motorists also apply to bicyclists.
Bicyclists must stop at any stop signs, and when the road as a stop line, cyclists must stop behind that line. When intersections don’t have stop lines, cyclists need to stop before crossing a crosswalk or entering an intersection.
Cyclists can proceed after coming to full stops and regaining their right-of-way. Bicyclists have to follow the same right-of-way rules at 4-way stops as motorists.
What Happens When Multiple Vehicles Arrive at the Same Time?
When two vehicles arrive at the same time at a four-way stop, the vehicle on the right gets the right of way. When three vehicles arrive simultaneously, the car farthest to the left needs to yield to the other two vehicles.
When two vehicles arrive at the same time at a four-way stop, one is turning and the other is going straight, the vehicle going straight gets the right-of-way.
When two vehicles get to an intersection simultaneously, are facing one another, one wants to turn right and the other wants to turn left, the vehicle who is turning right gets the right of way.
Is It Ever Legal For More Than One Car to Go At the Same Time?
If two cars arrive at the same time at an intersection, facing one another, and both cars are going straight, the two cars are allowed to pass through the intersection at the same time.
What to Do When You’ve Been in an Accident
If you have been involved in an accident at a four-way stop, you should:
- Get your vehicle to a safe, well-lit location
- Secure the vulnerable, like children, pets, seniors or the disabled
- Call 911
- File a police report
- Keep conversation at the accident scene to a bare minimum, avoiding apologizing to or admitting fault to others
- Collect contact and insurance information of other drivers involved, and collect contact information of witnesses
- Take pictures from multiple angles and distances
- Get medical attention as soon as you can, even if you don’t think you’re hurt
- Don’t talk to the other party’s insurance company
- Call experienced lawyers if you’ve been injured and let them deal with the insurance companies for you
Studies show that injury victims who hire attorneys after accidents get way more compensation for their injuries than victims who don’t, even after attorney fees are considered.
We represent accident victims on a contingency fee basis, meaning if you were hurt at a four-way stop, we’ll handle your case without charging you any fee until and unless we obtain compensation for you – the only fee we’ll charge is a percentage of any compensation we recover for you.
If you can’t afford to get the injuries you suffered at a four-way stop treated, we’ll get you to doctors who won’t charge you until your case is over.
We’ve been handling four-way stop accident cases since 1990 and have recovered hundreds of millions of dollars on behalf of our clients – our experience will allow us to recover the most money possible on your behalf.
Contact us today for a free consultation if you or a loved one was injured or killed in an accident a four-way stop.
Jeffrey Nadrich
Jeffrey Nadrich is a nationally-recognized California plaintiff’s personal injury attorney. He is a graduate of UC Berkeley and UC Hastings College of the Law. He has successfully represented thousands of injury clients over the last 40 years.
