What should drivers do at a four-way stop?

At a four-way stop, all vehicles are required to come to a complete stop before proceeding. This rule is in place to ensure safety and clear communication among drivers. Once all vehicles have stopped, they must then proceed in the order they arrived at the intersection. This means that the first vehicle to stop should be the first to go, allowing for an organized flow of traffic and helping to avoid confusion and potential accidents.

Following this procedure helps ensure that drivers are aware of the movements of other vehicles, facilitating smoother and safer navigation through the intersection. This approach mitigates the chances of collisions that could occur if drivers were to assume they could proceed without stopping or yield only to vehicles on their right. Thus, adhering to the principle of stopping and following the order of arrival creates a structured environment for all vehicles involved.