I love to drive. Generally speaking there isn't much that is more relaxing than jumping in my little convertible sports car and just driving. However, all the joy and relaxation is out the window anytime that I happen across the inexplicably most perplexing situation known to driving: the 4-way stop.
I say this not because I am an idiot, but because most other people seem to lose all faculties when they arrive at a 4-way stop at the same time as me. Unless they happen to be directly across from me (and even then at times), I can see this glazed over look in their eyes. It is almost as if someone just asked them to solve this:
Honestly, it isn't that complicated. For those who need a refresher check here.
I can only imagine the utter terror that a roundabout would bring to these poor souls lives.
Author's Note: Originally posted at Fuki Blog.
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Article comments
1 - Eric Olsen
I have noted a similar discombobulation come over drivers at 4-ways, I just go in the order I arrived. If someone "ahead of me" hesitates, I go since life is short and someone has to freaking take charge.
Thanks and welcome S Michael!
2 - Duane
I don't like Rule #5. So, say that there is a 4-way stop, but there are two lanes in every direction. If someone in a car to my left, say, is going my way, and that person's turn comes up, and I arrived at the intersection a millisecond after he did, I'm going too -- after a full stop, of course. So, two cars, in adjacent lanes, are going at the same time. I don't see why that should be against the rules.
Also, although it's fun to see differential calculus making an appearance on Blogcritics, the equation you display is just the definition of a derivative, and cannot be solved.
3 - S Michael Moore
Duane...very astute observation concerning the equation that I chose to post. I intentionally chose an equation that could not be solved because I believe the chances for the average driver to solve a 4-way stop is also non-existent.
I think I am going to like it here...I didn't expect anyone to actually pick up on that.
4 - JR
I assume rule #5 only addresses the specific case of an intersection of two-lane roads. I agree with Duane; I figure the general rule should be that one car from each lane in each direction goes at a time.
Maybe Tulsa doesn't have any four-way stops on four-lane roads?
5 - Phillip Winn
Rule #5 is clearly addressing situations in which more than one person per lane comes through on a single turn. Multiple-lane roads don't seem to be taken into account in the list of rules at all, but common practice and common sense both reveal that two cars side-by-side should go together, to avoid wasted time.