What should you do at a four-way stop?

At a four-way stop, the correct action is to yield to the driver on your right if you and that driver arrive at the intersection at the same time. This aligns with the right-of-way rules established in traffic laws, which state that when two vehicles reach an intersection at the same time, the vehicle on the left must yield to the vehicle on the right.

This practice is crucial for maintaining safety and order at intersections. Yielding to the right ensures that drivers can anticipate each other’s movements, minimizing the risk of collisions. It fosters predictable interactions among drivers and promotes smoother traffic flow.

While it is essential for first-arriving vehicles to proceed without hesitation, this does not apply when priority is in question. Therefore, the idea that you must sound your horn or yield to the driver on your left is inconsistent with the established rules for managing right-of-way at four-way stops. Understanding these principles is vital for safe driving behavior in Virginia and beyond.