How long do you wait for someone at a four-way stop?

[Anonymous]

This morning as I approached a four-way stop, I could see the car to my left who was going straight had already been stopped for at least fifteen seconds before I pulled up and stop. I sat there for four seconds waiting for him to go, then gave up and turned right. He flipped out on me. Tailgated, honked, flipped me off.

Yes, I admit I broke right-of-way rules, but I'm curious as to how long you would have waited. There's no rule saying the approaching vehicle has to stop before the vehicle with the right-of-way can go, correct? What was he waiting on?

[Anonymous]

That guy is crazy.

But I would have used hand motions to tell him to go before I just went. And four seconds isn't long unless you're on the way to the hospital.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:That guy is crazy.

But I would have used hand motions to tell him to go before I just went. And four seconds isn't long unless you're on the way to the hospital.

Sure, but he'd been sitting there for a while before I pulled up and stopped. That's what I'm really curious about. Are you obligated to wait for approaching cars to stop? I never learned that.

[Anonymous]

In your case, he was parking at the stop sign (15 seconds), not stopping.
I normally slowly move up and watch his reaction. If he moves, I'd let him go first. If he doesn't move, I'd go.

[Anonymous]

I would assume he’s doing something very important and stay stopped until after he proceeds, but I’m passive aggressive. If other cars approach and honk at me, I’ll point at him. Either he’ll proceed or the backup will escalate until the police come. Either option is fine with me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would assume he’s doing something very important and stay stopped until after he proceeds, but I’m passive aggressive. If other cars approach and honk at me, I’ll point at him. Either he’ll proceed or the backup will escalate until the police come. Either option is fine with me.

LOL. To be perfectly honest, I really didn't want to end up behind someone who didn't seem like he had anywhere to be!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would assume he’s doing something very important and stay stopped until after he proceeds, but I’m passive aggressive. If other cars approach and honk at me, I’ll point at him. Either he’ll proceed or the backup will escalate until the police come. Either option is fine with me.

Ok keyboard warrior there is no way you would do this.

OP I would have gone too. Sorry if you're too distracted by your phone. You lost your turn.

[Anonymous]

I would have waited longer. He was probably on his phone and you pulling up alerted him that he's supposed to be driving. I would also have looked longer to see if he was stopped for a reason, like a deer or something in the road.

That said, his behavior is never ok.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This morning as I approached a four-way stop, I could see the car to my left who was going straight had already been stopped for at least fifteen seconds before I pulled up and stop. I sat there for four seconds waiting for him to go, then gave up and turned right. He flipped out on me. Tailgated, honked, flipped me off.

Yes, I admit I broke right-of-way rules, but I'm curious as to how long you would have waited. There's no rule saying the approaching vehicle has to stop before the vehicle with the right-of-way can go, correct? What was he waiting on?

BS. There is no way you saw his car stationary for 15 seconds as you approached the intersection unless you are driving in the wide open desert of AZ. You approached and saw him stationary, probably 3 seconds of visibility if that. By that math you probably tapped your breaks and proceeded in your “4 seconds”.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This morning as I approached a four-way stop, I could see the car to my left who was going straight had already been stopped for at least fifteen seconds before I pulled up and stop. I sat there for four seconds waiting for him to go, then gave up and turned right. He flipped out on me. Tailgated, honked, flipped me off.

Yes, I admit I broke right-of-way rules, but I'm curious as to how long you would have waited. There's no rule saying the approaching vehicle has to stop before the vehicle with the right-of-way can go, correct? What was he waiting on?

BS. There is no way you saw his car stationary for 15 seconds as you approached the intersection unless you are driving in the wide open desert of AZ. You approached and saw him stationary, probably 3 seconds of visibility if that. By that math you probably tapped your breaks and proceeded in your “4 seconds”.

Huh? It was a new neighborhood without trees. Do you routinely make up stories to suit your own issues?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would assume he’s doing something very important and stay stopped until after he proceeds, but I’m passive aggressive. If other cars approach and honk at me, I’ll point at him. Either he’ll proceed or the backup will escalate until the police come. Either option is fine with me.

LOL. To be perfectly honest, I really didn't want to end up behind someone who didn't seem like he had anywhere to be![/quote]

I wondered about this. I am guessing your timing is off. He wasn't sitting there as long as you say and you didn't wait as long as you say.

I've done the same thing. If you're not going to keep things moving, then too bad. Granted, if he then does suddenly move and I'm already going (happens not infrequently with me) I make a surprise look and wave. Sorry. It calms them down.

[Anonymous]

Just another jerk on his phone, OP. I would have inched forward. That usually gets them to wake up.

[Anonymous]

In this scenario, I would've done the same thing. Distracted driving is huge problem.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This morning as I approached a four-way stop, I could see the car to my left who was going straight had already been stopped for at least fifteen seconds before I pulled up and stop. I sat there for four seconds waiting for him to go, then gave up and turned right. He flipped out on me. Tailgated, honked, flipped me off.

Yes, I admit I broke right-of-way rules, but I'm curious as to how long you would have waited. There's no rule saying the approaching vehicle has to stop before the vehicle with the right-of-way can go, correct? What was he waiting on?

BS. There is no way you saw his car stationary for 15 seconds as you approached the intersection unless you are driving in the wide open desert of AZ. You approached and saw him stationary, probably 3 seconds of visibility if that. By that math you probably tapped your breaks and proceeded in your “4 seconds”.

.

This seems most likely to me.

[Anonymous]

I would have flashed my lights and then beeped at him. Hello? Wake up! What are you doing?

Then I would have gone.

It worked out really well to have him behind you, OP, instead of in front, didn’t it?