Four-way stops in BC: who goes first

A four-way stop is the intersection where every approach has a stop sign. ICBC's Learn to Drive Smart gives three rules for it (Learn to Drive Smart, p.46).

The three rules

The guide lists them in this order (p.46):

• The first vehicle to arrive at the intersection and come to a complete stop should go first.
• If two vehicles arrive at the same time, the one on the right should go first.
• If two vehicles are facing each other and have arrived at about the same time, the one making a left turn must yield to the one going straight through.

Where to stop

Before any of this, you have to stop in the right place. The guide gives four positions (p.42):

• If there is a stop line, stop just before the line.
• If there is a crosswalk but no stop line, stop just before the crosswalk.
• If there is an unmarked crosswalk, stop where you would if it were marked.
• If there is no stop line, no crosswalk and no sidewalk, stop just before you enter the intersection.

It is illegal to back up into an intersection or over a crosswalk (p.43).

When the traffic lights are out

If the lights stop working, or all four start flashing, the guide says to treat the intersection like a four-way stop (p.43). A flashing red light also means a complete stop, and then you may move when it is clear and safe (p.45).

A two-way stop is not the same thing

At a two-way stop, only one street has stop signs; the other is the through street, and traffic on it has the right-of-way. If you are stopped, wait for a safe gap (p.45).

If two vehicles are stopped at a two-way stop and one driver wants to turn left, that driver must yield to the other one. The exception is when the left-turning vehicle is already in the intersection and has started to turn; then the other vehicle must yield (p.45).

When in doubt, yield

The guide says that even if you have the right-of-way, it is still your responsibility to do all you can to avoid a crash (p.43). A driving tip on page 46 goes further: if there is any doubt about who has the right-of-way, or any chance of a crash, it is always better to yield (p.46).

Practising

Our own free right-of-way practice questions include four-way stops and uncontrolled intersections (free right-of-way questions). If you are still learning to read the signs that set up these intersections, start with our guide to sign shapes and colours, or print the road sign chart.