# Arriving at a 4-way STOP simulateously **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 8, 2021, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arriving-at-a-4-way-stop-simulateously/953983 "2021-11-08T15:21:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2021, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arriving-at-a-4-way-stop-simulateously/953983/1 "2021-11-08T15:21:41Z")
You and another vehicle simultaneously arrive at a 4-way intersection, controlled by 4-way STOP signs. You both have turn signals on, indicating you will NOT be crossing each other’s path. What do you do? _Poll ([view on site](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arriving-at-a-4-way-stop-simulateously/953983/1))_ ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2021, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arriving-at-a-4-way-stop-simulateously/953983/2 "2021-11-08T15:24:09Z")
Plenty of time to correct as we’re both stopped, so I just go. A collision is extremely unlikely in this case. ---
**Author:** ![Gorsnak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gorsnak/32/7587_2.png) [@Gorsnak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gorsnak)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2021, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arriving-at-a-4-way-stop-simulateously/953983/3 "2021-11-08T15:31:47Z")
I agree. This isn’t like a situation where you’re turning right on red and trusting the turn signal of an approaching vehicle. In that case the vehicle is moving at speed and until I see it slowing down I’m not going to trust that it’s actually turning. But in this case we’re both coming from a dead stop, and if the other guy is not going where his signal indicates we’ll both have time to react to avoid a collision. ---
**Author:** ![bob\_2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bob_2/32/3341_2.png) [@bob\_2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bob_2)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2021, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arriving-at-a-4-way-stop-simulateously/953983/4 "2021-11-08T15:35:11Z")
That doesn’t happen in the UK, but we do have mini-roundabouts where four roads have Give Way and a painted circle in the centre of the junction. The general rule is to give way to the driver on the right (since we drive on the left), but if there are four drivers then it becomes an ‘_After you, Claud_’ situation. I always advise making eye contact with the driver on the right and edging forward. Off the race track, driving is not a competitive sport and we would get nowhere if most of us did not have common sense ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2021, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arriving-at-a-4-way-stop-simulateously/953983/5 "2021-11-08T15:37:23Z")
> [@bob\_2](#): > > Off the race track, driving is not a competitive sport and we would get nowhere if most of us did not have common sense In America, _any_ paved road is a racetrack. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![peccavi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peccavi/32/388_2.png) [@peccavi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/peccavi)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2021, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arriving-at-a-4-way-stop-simulateously/953983/6 "2021-11-08T15:44:15Z")
I live in a residential area in a pretty dense city, so the case of two or more drivers arriving at a four-way stop is pretty common. If all four arrive simultaneously, I wait to see if someone on my right or left decides they’ve arrived a microsecond earlier than me. If no one moves for a few seconds, I’ll usually gesture for the other driver to go (or they will gesture to me before I can initiate). It’s all about eye contact, not stare down. You make eye contact with the other drivers and react to them or, if they don’t make any gestures, initiate a “go ahead” gesture. It seems like it ought to be a big delay, but really, I’m guessing less than 10 seconds of delay. ---
**Author:** ![Mallard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b9bd4f/32.png) [@Mallard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mallard)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2021, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arriving-at-a-4-way-stop-simulateously/953983/7 "2021-11-08T15:49:49Z")
I don’t necessarily “wait” to see what he does, but I make my turn, keeping “mind” of what he’s doing in case he’s not doing what he signaled. One issue though, when you’re both turning in opposite directions you don’t necessarily see his turn signal light as it’s angled away from you. That’s rather annoying. Years ago when the fronts of cars were flatter, that wasn’t the issue it is today. ---
**Author:** ![hogarth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hogarth/32/1773_2.png) [@hogarth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hogarth)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2021, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arriving-at-a-4-way-stop-simulateously/953983/8 "2021-11-08T15:51:50Z")
I voted for “I just go”, but my version of “just going” from a stop sign is not that much different from “inching forward”. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2021, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arriving-at-a-4-way-stop-simulateously/953983/9 "2021-11-08T15:52:10Z")
The OP only specifies 2 cars, so a lot simpler than 4 cars. Especially as both are signaling. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2021, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arriving-at-a-4-way-stop-simulateously/953983/10 "2021-11-08T16:10:04Z")
We refer to this as an “After you, Alphonse” situation. [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/y20_i-5B3OI/hqdefault.jpg) ](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/y20_i-5B3OI/hqdefault.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2021, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arriving-at-a-4-way-stop-simulateously/953983/11 "2021-11-08T16:11:18Z")
> [@bob\_2](#): > > That doesn’t happen in the UK, but we do have mini-roundabouts where four roads have Give Way and a painted circle in the centre of the junction. > > The general rule is to give way to the driver on the right (since we drive on the left), but if there are four drivers then it becomes an ‘ _After you, Claud_ ’ situation. I always advise making eye contact with the driver on the right and edging forward. It’s a circle. Can’t you all enter at the same time? So long as there isn’t a vehicle in the section of the circle to your right, there shouldn’t be a problem. ---
**Author:** ![Seanette](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/seanette/32/9139_2.png) [@Seanette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seanette)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2021, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arriving-at-a-4-way-stop-simulateously/953983/12 "2021-11-08T16:13:43Z")
When my grandfather was teaching me to drive, he told me to never trust the other guy’s turn signal until I see what movement actually occurs. Makes sense to me. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2021, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arriving-at-a-4-way-stop-simulateously/953983/13 "2021-11-08T16:21:38Z")
> [@hogarth](#): > > I voted for “I just go”, but my version of “just going” from a stop sign is not that much different from “inching forward”. Me, too. I’m not zooming into the intersection at full speed, and if it turns out his signal sign is lying, there’s time for both of us to react. ---
**Author:** ![FinsToTheLeft](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/finstotheleft/32/2930_2.png) [@FinsToTheLeft](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FinsToTheLeft)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2021, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arriving-at-a-4-way-stop-simulateously/953983/14 "2021-11-08T16:23:34Z")
> [@DCnDC](#): > > 14%We sit and stare at each other for _way_ too long, then both inch forward, and stop and go several times, before realizing we are not going to cross paths, then both go. I’m Canadian, we do this and then all apologize to each other for the inconvenience. ---
**Author:** ![Chingon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chingon/32/17645_2.png) [@Chingon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chingon)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2021, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arriving-at-a-4-way-stop-simulateously/953983/15 "2021-11-08T16:25:39Z")
Yield to the right. ---
**Author:** ![Tired\_and\_Cranky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a87d85/32.png) [@Tired\_and\_Cranky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tired_and_Cranky)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2021, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arriving-at-a-4-way-stop-simulateously/953983/16 "2021-11-08T16:38:46Z")
Because I actually stop at stop signs and seemingly no other person on Earth does, the answer is that we arrive at the stop sign at the same time, I stop, the other driver continues obliviously on his way and I go after the other driver. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2021, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arriving-at-a-4-way-stop-simulateously/953983/17 "2021-11-08T16:41:35Z")
Funny, I rarely see people not stop at stop signs. Where do you live, someplace very rural? We’re very densely populated here in NJ. ---
**Author:** ![Folly](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/folly/32/3219_2.png) [@Folly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Folly)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2021, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arriving-at-a-4-way-stop-simulateously/953983/18 "2021-11-08T16:44:17Z")
> [@Chingon](#): > > Yield to the right. They’re head on both turning left. > [@What\_Exit](#): > > Funny, I rarely see people not stop at stop signs. Around Chicago and suburbs (especially suburbs), I’d say its about 90% rolling stops. ---
**Author:** ![Great\_Antibob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47c2d/32.png) [@Great\_Antibob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Great_Antibob)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2021, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arriving-at-a-4-way-stop-simulateously/953983/19 "2021-11-08T16:46:42Z")
There are two relevant laws in Texas if there are stop signs. (1) a car turning left should yield to a car coming from the opposite direction. (2) at an intersection with traffic control (stop signs, signals, whatever), one should enter the intersection when safe to do so and when the intersection can be cleared. So, at an intersection with a traffic light, it’s a violation to stop in the middle of the intersection during a green light because traffic is backed up. One should wait until there’s room to get to the other side. In the case of two drivers at a 4 way intersection with stop signs who are in no danger of colliding, there’s no problem with one waiting or both going at the same time, as long as they both come to a complete stop at the signs first. There’s common practice of first come, first go at stop signs but the actual law doesn’t say anything about that. It’s left to the individual drivers to figure out how to safely get through, even if that means the first car to get to the intersection waits the longest. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2021, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arriving-at-a-4-way-stop-simulateously/953983/20 "2021-11-08T16:49:47Z")
> [@Folly](#): > > They’re head on both turning left. Now that you mention it, that makes sense, but the OP didn’t say so, and for some reason I was imagining a situation where the vehicles were at right angles. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arriving-at-a-4-way-stop-simulateously/953983.md?page=2)