At a four-way stop, who has the right of way?

At a four-way stop, the right of way is given to the first vehicle that arrives at the intersection. This rule is designed to promote safety and efficiency in traffic flow, as it helps prevent confusion and potential accidents when multiple vehicles approach the stop at the same time.

When vehicles arrive at the intersection simultaneously, additional rules can apply, such as yielding to vehicles on the right, but the primary rule is that the first vehicle to come to a stop at the intersection has the right to proceed. This standard ensures that traffic can move smoothly and predictably, reducing the likelihood of collisions at intersections with multiple stopping vehicles.