A 4-way intersection right-of-way question...?

Question

This may get confusing...At a 4-way intersection, controlled by stop signs, 3 cars approach - one heading straight east, one heading straight west, and one heading north. The car going north has indicated they will be making a left turn and yields to the east/west drivers.

As the east/west drivers enter the intersection, a 4th car (heading straight south) reaches the intersection. After the east/west cars are through the intersection, who has the right-of-way? The car heading north who reached the intersection first, but is making a left turn? Or the car heading straight south, but was the last to reach the intersection?

If anyone can answer this with a statute or semi-official "rule of the road" and not just "What would you personally do?" I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks.

Answer 1

I recently took the learner's permit written test and therefore read over the manual pretty thoroughly. It states that whoever reaches the intersection first, alway has the right of way, no matter what direction they are going in. Of course, I live in Pennsylvania, but it should probably be the same nationwide.

Answer 2

4 Way Intersection Right Of Way

Answer 3

That's a good question. In this situation, I usually let the person going straight (in your case, the one going south) go first and then I turn left. I don't know if this is technically what I am supposed to do, but I figure it is safer. The car going straight would normally have the right of way if those two cars got there at the same time, you're right.



I'm not sure, but I think this is correct, if I'm reading the linked site below correctly. The second link seems to indicate otherwise, though. Sorry I guess I'm not much help!

Answer 4

This Site Might Help You.



RE:

A 4-way intersection right-of-way question...?

This may get confusing...At a 4-way intersection, controlled by stop signs, 3 cars approach - one heading straight east, one heading straight west, and one heading north. The car going north has indicated they will be making a left turn and yields to the east/west drivers.



As the east/west...

Answer 5

Whoever reaches the intersection first has the right of way. Doesn't matter if they're making a left, right, up, or sideways. But I guess there's always the "go ahead" wave that some drivers give to other people.

Answer 6

the car that got there first always has right of way, unless he or she inticates with a hand gesture passing the right of way to you, also if two cars approach at the same time, the person to the right side has the right of way, unless indicated that that driver is letting you go first.



so after the cars going east and west have gone through the intersection the car going south is next in line to travel through the 4-way stop, then the person goign north can go on

Answer 7

You may occasionally arrive at a four-way stop sign at the same time as another driver.



In such cases the driver to the right has the right of way.



However, not all drivers know this.



If someone to your left decides to go first, let them!