All-way stopWorldwide

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63. All-way stop

An all-way stop is an intersection where traffic approaching from every direction is required to stop before entering. It is usually indicated by a stop sign on each approach and is commonly used where traffic from intersecting roads needs to be controlled without traffic lights.

Every driver must come to a complete stop and proceed only when it is safe and permitted. The rules determining which vehicle may proceed first differ between countries, so drivers should follow the local priority rules rather than assuming that the first vehicle to arrive always has priority.

All-way stop
All-way stop sign. (Ontario, Canada)
Wikimedia.org • Raysonho • CC BY-SA
What is an all-way stop?

An all-way stop is an intersection where drivers approaching from every direction are required to stop before entering.

Who goes first at an all-way stop?

The applicable priority rules depend on the country. Some countries use arrival order and additional right-of-way rules, while others apply different rules, so drivers should follow the local traffic regulations.

Do you still have to stop when no other traffic is present?

Yes. Where a stop sign requires a complete stop, the driver must stop even when no other vehicles or road users are visible.

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