What is a four-way stop?

A four-way stop is most accurately described as an intersection where all directions must stop, and the first vehicle to arrive has the right of way. This means that at a four-way stop, all vehicles approaching the intersection from every direction are required to come to a complete stop. Once stopped, vehicles must yield the right of way to others based on the order they arrived at the intersection. If two or more cars come to a stop at the same time, the vehicle on the right has the right of way.

Understanding how four-way stops operate is crucial for safe driving, as it helps prevent collisions by establishing clear rules about who proceeds first. This kind of traffic control is particularly important in intersections without traffic signals, providing a structured method for managing vehicle movement and ensuring that all drivers are aware of their responsibilities.

The other choices do not describe a four-way stop accurately. Options that refer to a stop for vehicles traveling in one direction or a traffic signal are specific to different types of traffic control scenarios. An area for vehicles to turn around does not involve right-of-way rules and does not require stopping as a four-way stop does.