How should a driver proceed at a four-way stop?

At a four-way stop, the correct procedure involves yielding to the vehicle on the right only if there is a tie in arrival. However, the foundational rule of a four-way stop is that the first vehicle to arrive at the intersection has the right of way and should go first. If two vehicles arrive simultaneously, the vehicle on the left must yield to the vehicle on the right. This system is designed to minimize confusion and ensure safety by establishing clear rules for right of way.

While one might think that yielding to the vehicle on the right would apply in every instance, it’s essential to understand that the primary direction in a four-way stop is based on who arrives first. Therefore, if a driver arrives at the stop at the same time as another vehicle, understanding that the vehicle on the right has the right of way becomes crucial for safe navigation through the intersection.

The other options suggest ignoring proper procedures; going first just because one arrives first disregards necessary yielding rules if another vehicle is present. Completely bypassing the stop is against traffic laws and can lead to serious accidents. Lastly, waiting for the vehicle behind to go first impedes traffic flow and could lead to misunderstandings about who has the right of way.