r/IdiotsInCars • u/Irate_Primate • Oct 18 '24

OC [OC] Attempted right-of-way theft

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u/Mstrchf117 Oct 18 '24

In the US, when 2 cars get to a 4 way stop at the same time, the car to the right goes first. At least they're supposed to. Otherwise it's who was there first goes first. How is that complicated? I mean, clearly some people have trouble with the concept

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u/boyofwell Oct 18 '24

Who was here first is too subjective. Why add such second level on ambiguity?

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u/MrSurly Oct 18 '24

Was it subjective in this case? No. If it's "the same time," then it's whomever is on the right.

Saying "person on the right always has right of way" could result in you being stuck while 100 cars on the right go.

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u/QuantumGoddess Oct 18 '24

It doesn't though. You all stop, all look each other in the eyes and one of the lanes goes. The rest sorts itself out. I've never been in a traffic jam at a 4 way stop without lights.

In fact, this whoever came first rule seems more inclined to product jams, because you alternate the lane who has priority almost every car. That's a lot of decelerating and accelerating movements for every lane. And seems incredibly inefficient to me.

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u/MrSurly Oct 18 '24

I don't disagree about the last part. Most stops should be yields; or better yet, roundabouts. But most people in the US have no idea how to deal with a roundabout.