# Another traffic question: Do they use 4-way stops in your area?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-traffic-question-do-they-use-4-way-stops-in-your-area/251169>\
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion\
**Created:** [June 19, 2004, 4:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-traffic-question-do-they-use-4-way-stops-in-your-area/251169 "2004-06-19T04:40:16Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![dwc1970](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a183cd/32.png) [@dwc1970](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dwc1970)\
**Post date:** [June 21, 2004, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-traffic-question-do-they-use-4-way-stops-in-your-area/251169/21 "2004-06-21T14:45:09Z")

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Four-way stops are commonly used in residential areas around here and in semi-rural developing areas where there is a lot of high-speed traffic on the main roads just outside of city limits. In areas that have had a history of frequent accidents, if it’s only a two-way stop then they will include a small yellow sign beneath the stop sign that says CROSS TRAFFIC DOES NOT STOP. If I’m in doubt I’ll look to see if the other road also has a stop sign, but they’re pretty good about clearly labeling 4-way stops as such.

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**Author:** ![Small\_Clanger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9fc348/32.png) [@Small\_Clanger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Small_Clanger)\
**Post date:** [June 21, 2004, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-traffic-question-do-they-use-4-way-stops-in-your-area/251169/22 "2004-06-21T15:24:06Z")

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> [@SmackFu](#):
>
> What’s it like in your area?

Hereabouts we have roundabouts, famous for it in fact 🙂 They function as four-way stops if there’s enough traffic.

In Britain I’m pretty sure where there is a stop sign the main road will be clear with just a “side turning” warning sign. Full blown “Stop” signs are rare you usually get “Give way”

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**Author:** ![TellMeI\_mNotCrazy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tellmei_mnotcrazy/32/3419_2.png) [@TellMeI\_mNotCrazy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TellMeI_mNotCrazy)\
**Post date:** [June 21, 2004, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-traffic-question-do-they-use-4-way-stops-in-your-area/251169/23 "2004-06-21T15:50:50Z")

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> [@Ellis Dee](#):
>
> I have to get up to Naugatuck to see this traffic situation for myself.
> 
> In the NYC suburbs (Fairfield County), greater New Haven area, Storres (UConn), the Casino district (Uncasville), and the greater Hartford area, there are more 2-way stops than you can shake a stick at. Also the occasional rotary.
> 
> Where is Naugatuck? Is that near Waterbury? Even in Waterbury and Oxford I know there are a bunch of 2-way stops.
> 
> I’ve been in CT since the 80s. Are there a bunch of silos in your area? (Did I just call you a hick? 😛 )

I have to agree… There are far more 2 way stops than 4 way stops in my neck of the woods - even in places where a 4-way stop would be a really, really good idea.

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