At a four-way stop, which is the right procedure while waiting to proceed?

At a four-way stop, yielding to cars that arrive first is the appropriate procedure because it ensures a fair and orderly flow of traffic. In this situation, the basic rule is that the first vehicle to arrive at the stop sign has the right of way. This practice helps prevent accidents and misunderstandings among drivers. It promotes safety by allowing those who have reached the intersection before you to proceed, which can reduce the likelihood of collisions that may occur if drivers do not follow the right-of-way rules.

Waiting for a green light is not applicable at a four-way stop, as those intersections are controlled by stop signs rather than traffic signals. Always going first disregards the established right-of-way rules and can lead to traffic chaos and possible accidents. Ignoring stop signs if the intersection appears clear is dangerous; not all drivers may make the same assumption, and other vehicles could enter the intersection unexpectedly. Thus, adhering to the rule of yielding to vehicles that arrive first keeps the intersection safe and orderly for all drivers.