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

[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.

This.

[Anonymous]

I'm one of those conservative drivers who is putting along in the right lane in my old Prius. However, I have driven around here long enough that I would wait about 5 seconds at a stop sign before proceeding. I know that most people don't fully stop most of the time but I do. I will wait my turn. However, if they aren't going, then I will. If the OP is telling the truth, then I think they did nothing wrong and just caught someone on a bad day.

My kids know that I will look at the other drivers, I will look for pedestrians and dogs and I am rarely in a raging hurry. However, I do not, will not make gestures or expressions to other drivers. We have rules, let's just follow them at the stop sign. I figure that someone lingering a long time at a stop is lost, on their phone or simply overwhelmed in the moment (love you, Mom).

This is my nightmare - PEMCO 4-way stop commercial -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O41BMCNLtNc

[Anonymous]

I don't have a response to OP but a comment that people in Arlington seem to have no idea how a 4 way stop works. I drive a lot and have never seen such bad driving as I have in the past 12-18 months in Arlington. They do not yield to the first driver that arrives at the intersection. They do not yield to the right. They barely yield for pedestrians or bikers crossing. Drivers just go whenever they feel like it without any rhyme or reason. WTF is going on??

[Anonymous]

I give someone about a heartbeat to take their right of way before i inch forward. If they react fine, if they don't react I just go.

[Anonymous]

Just don't be one of those people who think they are being uber-nice and instead are either risking your life or wasting everyone's time -- with their own determination of, "no really, please, you first ..."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just don't be one of those people who think they are being uber-nice and instead are either risking your life or wasting everyone's time -- with their own determination of, "no really, please, you first ..."

There is an order to follow and if everyone follows it, you rarely see the scenario that you are describing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just don't be one of those people who think they are being uber-nice and instead are either risking your life or wasting everyone's time -- with their own determination of, "no really, please, you first ..."

There is an order to follow and if everyone follows it, you rarely see the scenario that you are describing.

Why does it seem that nobody follows the rules of 4 way stop around here? It's maddening - there is an order and it's pretty simple if you follow it. A lot of drivers around here either ignore the rule or they just don't give a f*ck.

[Anonymous]

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

Realistically, I would’ve done the same too. I would’ve looked over to see if he was eyes on the road her eyes on his phone. Proceeded with caution, as you did.

[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.

If you have ever been hit by someone who went through a stop sign, you might wait for someone to stop before proceeding.

Signed,
someone who was hit by a guy who went right through the stop sign at a four way stop. My car had to be towed and luckily I was okay. Yes, I had stopped and proceeded just like you thought this guy should have done.

[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”.

Yep!

[Anonymous]

My son in law works as a tow truck driver. 80% of his accident calls are to accidents at intersections. A lot of the cars involved have less than 3000 miles on them.

[Anonymous]

You waited as long as I would have.