Four Way Stop: Who Goes First? The Simple Rules You Need to Know

The scene plays out at intersections across America every single day. A driver named Sarah pulls up to a four way stop, her teenage son watching nervously from the passenger seat. Two other cars arrive almost simultaneously. Her hands grip the steering wheel a little tighter. Who goes first at a four way stop?

It seems like such a simple question. Yet that moment of hesitation, that brief confusion, leads to 38% of all fatal intersection crashes in this country. Understanding the right of way rules at four way stops is not just about passing a driving test. It is about coming home safely.

Why Four Way Stops Confuse So Many Drivers (And Why It Matters)

There is something almost comical about watching drivers at a four way stop. One parent recently described quality time with your family during driving lessons as “equal parts terrifying and hilarious.” She was teaching her oldest child to drive when they pulled up to a four way intersection. Three other cars arrived within seconds of each other.

Everyone stopped. Nobody moved. Then everyone started to inch forward at the same time. Then everyone stopped again. Her daughter looked at her with wide eyes and asked, “What are we supposed to do?”

That moment of confusion happens millions of times each day. According to traffic safety data, stop sign-controlled intersections see an average of 1,336 fatalities each year from violations. These are not minor fender benders. These are life-changing crashes that happen because someone did not understand the rules or chose to ignore them.

The good news is that the rules themselves are actually quite simple. Most drivers just never had them explained clearly.

What Is a Four Way Stop? (And How to Identify One)

A four way stop, also called an all-way stop, is an intersection where stop signs face all approaching traffic. Picture a crossroads where every single direction has a big red stop sign waiting for drivers.

Identifying one is straightforward. Look for stop signs on all four corners of the intersection. Some may also have small signs below the stop sign that say “ALL WAY” or “4-WAY” to make it even clearer.

These intersections exist in places where traffic volume does not justify a full traffic light but still needs controlled access. Residential neighborhoods, small towns, and suburban areas use them frequently. They keep traffic moving while requiring everyone to take turns.

The 4 Essential Rules for Who Goes First at a Four Way Stop

Here is where the confusion ends. There are exactly four rules that govern right of way at a four way stop. Learn these and that moment of hesitation disappears forever.

Rule 1: First to Stop, First to Go

The most fundamental rule is beautifully simple. The driver who arrives and stops first gets to go first. Think of it like standing in line at a coffee shop. The person who arrived first gets served first.

This means paying attention matters. When approaching a four way stop, notice which cars are already there and in what order they arrived. That sequence determines who moves when.

Rule 2: When Two Cars Arrive Simultaneously, Yield to the Right

Sometimes two cars pull up at almost exactly the same moment. When that happens, the driver on the left yields to the driver on the right. This “yield to the right” rule creates a clear tiebreaker.

Picture two cars arriving at the same time. One is coming from the north, one from the west. The driver coming from the north sees the westbound car on their right. The northern driver waits. The western driver goes first.

Rule 3: Straight Traffic Has Priority Over Turning Traffic

When two cars arrive at the same time and face each other, the one going straight has priority over the one turning. A driver crossing straight through the intersection can proceed before a driver making a turn.

This rule exists for safety reasons. Turning takes longer and creates more potential conflict points. Letting straight traffic through first keeps the intersection clear faster.

Rule 4: Right Turns Have Priority Over Left Turns

If two facing cars both need to turn and arrived simultaneously, the driver turning right goes before the driver turning left. Right turns are quicker and safer, keeping that intersection flowing smoothly.

These four rules handle 99% of situations at any stop sign intersection. Understanding them is part of making quick decisions behind the wheel.

The Tricky Scenario: When All Four Cars Arrive at Once

Here is the situation that makes even experienced drivers pause. Four cars approach the intersection from all four directions. They all stop at essentially the same moment. Now what?

The honest truth is there is no official rule for this scenario. Traffic laws do not specifically address the four-way tie. In practice, it comes down to courtesy and communication.

What works is this: make eye contact with the other drivers. Someone will usually wave another driver through, breaking the stalemate. Once one car moves, the others typically follow in a clockwise pattern.

The key is patience. Do not assume. Do not rush. Wait for clear communication from other drivers before proceeding. A few extra seconds of caution beats the alternative.

7 Common Mistakes That Cause Four Way Stop Accidents

Research shows that 70% of crashes at stop signs involve violations of right-of-way rules. These are the mistakes that put drivers in danger.

Rolling Stops (The Illegal ‘California Stop’)

The rolling stop is illegal in every single state. Slowing down without fully stopping does not count. The law requires wheels to come to a complete stop. Many drivers roll through out of habit, missing cars they would have seen with a full stop.

Misjudging Who Arrived First

Intersection approaches can be tricky. A driver might think they arrived first when they actually arrived second. Paying full attention during the approach prevents this dangerous miscalculation.

Distracted Driving at Intersections

Glancing at a phone while approaching a stop sign means missing critical information. Which cars are already there? Who arrived in what order? That quick glance at a notification can erase the mental notes needed to navigate safely.

Aggressive Driving and Rushing Your Turn

Some drivers treat intersections like competitions. They accelerate quickly, trying to squeeze through before their actual turn. This aggression leads to T-bone collisions and side-impact crashes.

Forgetting Pedestrians Have Right of Way

Pedestrians always have priority at intersections. Always. Even without a marked crosswalk. Drivers focused on watching other cars sometimes forget to check for people on foot.

Hesitating When It’s Your Turn

One driver recently watched a near-miss unfold at a neighborhood intersection. A minivan had clear right of way but hesitated at the stop sign. Another driver, confused by the delay, started forward. Both vehicles lurched and stopped inches apart.

Hesitation creates confusion. When it is clearly your turn, proceed with confidence. Other drivers expect you to go.

Over-Relying on Turn Signals

Turn signals help, but they are not guarantees. A driver signaling right might actually go straight. Someone with no signal might suddenly turn. Watch what cars actually do, not just what they indicate.

Special Situations: Pedestrians, Cyclists, and Emergency Vehicles

The basic four rules cover car-to-car interactions. But intersections involve more than just vehicles.

Pedestrians Always Have Absolute Priority

It does not matter who arrived first or whose turn it is. If a pedestrian is crossing or waiting to cross, every vehicle stops. This is not courtesy. It is law. Pedestrians have right of way at intersections even when no crosswalk is painted.

How to Handle Cyclists at Four Way Stops

Bicycles are vehicles under traffic law. Cyclists follow the same four way stop rules as cars. Treat them as you would any other vehicle. If a cyclist arrived first, they go first. If they are on your right and arrived simultaneously, yield to them.

Emergency Vehicles Trump All Rules

Flashing lights and sirens change everything. Pull to the right side of the road and stop completely. Do not proceed through the intersection until the emergency vehicle has passed. Their urgency overrides all normal traffic flow.

Teaching New Drivers: Tips from a Parent Who’s Been There

Teaching a teenager to drive ranks among the most nerve-wracking experiences in parenting. Those first trips through intersections test everyone’s patience. But driving lessons also represent a genuine opportunity for teaching important life skills that last a lifetime.

Some practical advice from parents who have survived this process:

• Start in quiet neighborhoods: Find intersections with low traffic to build confidence before tackling busy areas.
• Use simple memory tricks: “First Stop, First Go” and “Yield to the Right” stick in young minds.
• Emphasize complete stops: Make them count to three while stopped. This builds the habit of truly stopping.
• Practice observation: Have them narrate what they see. “Blue car on my left, arrived before me. White car on my right, arrived after me.”
• Stay calm: Panicked reactions make new drivers more anxious. Deep breaths help everyone.

Those patient driving lessons also become quality time with your family. Some parents look back on those nerve-wracking hours in the passenger seat as some of the most meaningful conversations they ever had with their kids. When considering choosing a fuel-efficient vehicle for a new driver, fuel costs matter, but safety features matter more.

For more guidance on raising capable young people, explore these parenting resources for additional tips.

What to Do If Someone Else Violates the Rules

Here is an uncomfortable truth: knowing the rules perfectly does not protect anyone from drivers who ignore them. Defensive driving means expecting the unexpected.

When another driver jumps their turn or rolls through a stop, the safest response is simple. Let them go. Being right about the rules matters far less than arriving safely. Legal right of way provides zero protection against a collision.

Some drivers get angry when others violate intersection etiquette. That anger is understandable but dangerous. Road rage leads to worse decisions. The goal at every intersection is to get through safely, not to enforce traffic law.

Watch for warning signs that another driver might not stop: excessive speed on approach, distracted behavior, or making no eye contact. When something feels off, wait. A few extra seconds of caution is always worth it.

Quick Reference: Four Way Stop Rules Cheat Sheet

For easy reference, here are the four way stop rules in their simplest form:

These rules apply at every stop sign intersection across the country. Master them and that moment of hesitation at the intersection becomes a thing of the past.

The next time confusion strikes at a four way stop, remember Sarah and her son from the opening of this article. She took a breath, remembered the simple rules, and proceeded safely. Now her son drives confidently through every intersection, passing that knowledge forward.

Safe driving is not about being the fastest through an intersection. It is about understanding the system, respecting other drivers, and arriving home in one piece. Every trip, every time.