4 way stop.

[paulca]

Not being from the US and never having driven there....

Watching Mythbusters "4 waystop versus roundabout" and I was confused. How does that actually work?

So I googled it and now I'm even more confused.

You have to remember who arrived first and give them priority ?, but if you arrive at the same time you give way to the right (right? surely you mean left, we give way to the right)... unless there are hand gestures... or ... it's all bit vague and open to interpretation isn't it?


We don't have these in Europe/UK. If we have a 4 way intersection it will have one through route with right of way and one crossing/minor route. That or it will have traffic lights.

We have very few "STOP" signs at junctions and usually they are only on blind junctions merging/crossing high speed roads.

Also, the mythbusters test is flawed. Most roundabouts have 2 (or more) lanes, not one. This allows even more people in the intersection and parallel streams through it.

My favourites are the 5 lane spiral roundabouts you get at motorway "off ramp" junctions. Here's a 3 lane one. Try and follow the lanes....


Then there is this:

[Kotu100]

I have one of these up the street from my house. Basically whoever is in a hurry or drives the biggest piece of shit goes 1st. Some people don't even bother to stop.
Its a use your common sense kinda thing usually.


4 way stops are used on sideroads and roads less traveled usually. Main roads just get traffic lights.

[tahdizzle]

So OP is confused at how a 4 way stop is used?

Remembering who got to a 4 way stop is not difficult, 4 way stops are usually at rural intersections and less traveled streets/roads like kotu said.

And I personally have never seen a 4 way stop for a 4 lane intersection.

You yield to your left.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by paulca

parallel streams through it.

My favourites are the 5 lane spiral roundabouts you get at motorway "off ramp" junctions. Here's a 3 lane one. Try and follow the lanes....


Then there is this:

Either one of these would send the average North American driver into a state of panic that I am not sure they would recover from.


Most NA roundabouts are single lane only and although they are increasing in cities most are on relatively low volume secondary highways (in Ontario at any rate)


Like was said above 4 way stops are not used on heavy traffic roads but are pretty common in rural and residential sections.


Also said above the law says:
"At an intersection with stop signs at all corners, you must yield the right-of-way to the first vehicle to come to a complete stop. If two vehicles stop at the same time, the vehicle on the left must yield to the vehicle on the right (Diagram 2-19)."


In reality the most aggressive wins!

[TheVoiceOfReason]

They have been replacing 4 way stops near me with single lane roundabouts because not all drivers can count to 4, or don't know what stopping is. They are great once everyone in the area learns that people in the circle already have right of way. Simple as that.

[paulca]

The 2 lane roundabouts are just the same, but inside lane to turn right, out side for left or straight on, though on most you can use the inside for straight on too.

The only complicated thing is if some idiot decides to pass you on the outside and then not exit! You need to watch for that and be prepared to hit the horn and then go around again. Happens very rarely.

3, 4 and 5 lane ones are almost always spiral roundabouts where if you stay in the lane you started in, it will slowly peel you to the outside and off the roundabout at hopefully the exit you expected, but... when you arrive at a new one, in rush hour, it's dark, wet, slippery, you can barely see the lanes and everyone else seems to know the roundabout well so are going at least 40mph and you don't have a clue, it's a bit stressful. Getting off alive at any exit is usually a reward!

[themadscientist]

Simple. I go first.

[tahdizzle]

Originally Posted by paulca

The 2 lane roundabouts are just the same, but inside lane to turn right, out side for left or straight on, though on most you can use the inside for straight on too.

The only complicated thing is if some idiot decides to pass you on the outside and then not exit! You need to watch for that and be prepared to hit the horn and then go around again. Happens very rarely.

3, 4 and 5 lane ones are almost always spiral roundabouts where if you stay in the lane you started in, it will slowly peel you to the outside and off the roundabout at hopefully the exit you expected, but... when you arrive at a new one, in rush hour, it's dark, wet, slippery, you can barely see the lanes and everyone else seems to know the roundabout well so are going at least 40mph and you don't have a clue, it's a bit stressful. Getting off alive at any exit is usually a reward!

Here in 'Murica, we drive like normal people

[paulca]

Originally Posted by tahdizzle

Here in 'Murica, we drive like normal people

That's some feat of impersonation!

[Tcoat]

I love the rarely traveled one they put outside the entrance to the park where I have my cottage.
Although I am sure they wonder where all the black tire slide marks came from starting in early August!

[chaoskaze]

Going a bit off topic here but ever since I move to US I realize ppl don't really take yellow traffic light seriously...... Funny thing is that it actually made driving easier cuz u just drive through it like green light 100% of the time lol.

*however I think who ever designed modern traffic signal must be crying in his grave. lol

[brandonblt2]

Originally Posted by chaoskaze

Going a bit off topic here but ever since I move to US I realize ppl don't really take yellow traffic light seriously...... Funny thing is that it actually made driving easier cuz u just drive through it like green light 100% of the time lol.

*however I think who ever designed modern traffic signal must be crying in his grave. lol

Well yellow just means caution be prepared to stop and most lights have a delay of 3 seconds for green to the people perpendicular so people who choose to run a red don't t-bone other people.

[brandonblt2]

In NJ we are sorta of notorious for our roundabouts and circles, with having 3 or more interconnecting. We have even started replacing 4 ways with roundabouts in rural areas. The thing that really confuses people are jug handles where you have to turn right to make a left hand turn.

[Kimsey47]

There is a four way stop in the UK on RAF Mildenhall... And yes it confused the crap out of the Brits on base.