What should drivers do at a four-way stop?

At a four-way stop, the correct action is to yield to the vehicle on your right if you arrive at the intersection at the same time as another vehicle. This rule is established to determine the order of vehicles when there is no clear right of way. It helps prevent confusion and enhances safety by providing a simple method to establish who has the right to proceed first.

In situations where vehicles arrive simultaneously, this guideline allows for a fair and predictable flow of traffic. It is essential for drivers to maintain awareness of surrounding vehicles and be prepared to yield if necessary. Understanding this rule promotes smoother intersection navigation and helps avoid accidents.

Other options, such as always going first, waiting for all traffic to clear, or proceeding based on a set time, could lead to confusion or unsafe driving practices. Always going first ignores the rules of yielding, while waiting for all traffic to clear can cause unnecessary delays and disrupt the flow of traffic. Focusing on a set time does not account for the variable nature of intersection usage, where the presence of other vehicles should dictate the actions of a driver.