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- How does a four-way stop work?
- Carefully approaching a four-way stop
- What should I do if I’ve been injured in an accident at a four-way stop?
Whether you’re a new driver or a longtime vet, your goal when you get behind the wheel should always be to arrive at your destination safely. One of the best ways to lower your risk of an accident and injury is to know and obey the traffic laws on your commute.
It’s easy to take these rules for granted when traveling, but when others don’t commit to driving safely and following the rules, it can lead to accidents, injuries and death. Understanding the right-of-way when approaching an intersection is paramount to avoiding serious accidents.
Unsignalized intersections, which are intersections controlled by a stop sign, yield sign or no signage at all, can be hazardous. According to the United States Department of Transportation, fatalities at unsignalized intersections were higher than those at intersections with traffic signals, making up 65% of all fatalities involving an intersection.
Stop signs control many of these unsignalized intersections, so knowing how to approach them is critical. The four-way stop can be confusing, specifically when two cars reach the intersection simultaneously.
As auto accident injury attorneys, we want to help you better understand how to approach different driving situations to avoid accidents and injuries. Let’s take a closer look at four-way stop right-of-way rules.
Missouri Four-way Stop Right-of-way Rules: How Does a Four-way Stop Work?
A four-way stop is an intersection that requires all vehicles to stop before crossing. Chapter 4 of the Missouri Driver Guide states that the first vehicle to come to a complete stop should go first, followed by the next vehicle to come to a complete stop. However, what if two vehicles stop at approximately the same time?
Let’s take a look at two scenarios covered in §304.351 of the Revisor of Missouri:
- In the event that two vehicles stop at approximately the same time, the vehicle to the left should yield the right-of-way to the driver of the vehicle on the right.
- If the two vehicles are coming from opposite directions and one vehicle intends to turn left, the vehicle turning left should yield the right-of-way.
These rules are a solid baseline for determining whether or not a driver should yield the right-of-way, but there is more to consider whenever you want to minimize your chances of collision.
How to Carefully Approach a Four-way Stop
While understanding the right-of-way at a four-way stop is essential to avoiding an auto accident, there are a few elements to stopping at an intersection you need to know before you hit the road.
Stopping at the Line
Many stop signs have stop lines that may not line up with the sign itself. These lines are critical at four-way stops as they present a clear stopping point for the vehicle to determine who stopped first. Stop lines also allow for safer pedestrian crossing and prevent you from pulling too far into the intersection.
If there isn’t a stop line, the Missouri Driver Guide suggests stopping at the intersection and looking both ways for safety.
Driving Defensively
The Missouri Driver Guide states, “The law says who must yield the right-of-way; it does not give any driver the right-of-way. You must do everything you can to prevent striking a pedestrian or another vehicle, regardless of the circumstances.”
While knowing and following the rules of the road is critical to safe driving, you can’t always count on others to avoid collision. You must be aware of the situation and use your best judgment. Always expect other drivers to make mistakes, and be on your guard.
What Should I Do If I Am Injured In an Accident at a Four-way Stop
While you can do everything in your power to follow the law and drive safely, you can’t prevent the negligence of others. If you are injured in an auto accident due to someone else’s carelessness, you need someone to make it right.
Don’t settle for an unfair insurance offer or deal with your medical bills, lost wages and other expenses alone: call Eng & Woods Attorneys at Law. Our experienced team has helped victims of negligent driving find hope in difficult times, and we’re ready to do the same for you. Fill out a contact form or give us a call today!
