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The traffic on the main road (with no stop signs) of course has first right of way. Suppose two cars are across from each other turning onto the main road. One is turning right and one is turning left (to both ultimately go the same direction). Who has right of way?

  1. Is it the person turning right?
  2. Is it the person who got to the stop sign first?

Does the answer change if there's a whole line of people turning right from one side and a whole line of people turning left from the other side?

I'm looking for the general rule in the United States. If the state matters, I'm in Ohio.

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The NHTSA gives rules for the United States.

Right of way goes to the first person to stop. So if a line of cars were at both stop signs, and all cars wanted to make the same conflicting turns, they would alternate.

If the opposing cars stop at the same time then the one turning right has the right of way. (This is because a right turn falls under the "Straight Traffic Goes First" rule.)

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  • Also note that a right turn only has traffic flowing in the same direction to contend with. Left turns must contend with both lanes on the cross (main) street) – sabbahillel Apr 21 '16 at 16:36
  • Thanks for finding that info! I noticed that the link seems to go to the "Bicycle" section of the NHTSA web site and the examples show 4-way stop sign intersections. However, the verbiage refers to "vehicles", and does give an example where two cars are across from each other. So, I'd say that pretty much answers the question. Thanks again! – Kevin Rettig Apr 21 '16 at 21:09
  • @KevinRettig - Oh yeah, weird. My explanation: "Government." ;) – feetwet♦ Apr 21 '16 at 22:05

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