Ep. 24: Stop Signs - When to Go and When to Let It Flow

You stop. They stop. Now you're both waving each other on. Awkward? Sure. But unnecessary.

In this episode of Mastering the Commute, we're tackling one of the most basic—but most misunderstood—elements of everyday driving: the stop sign. From 2-way to 4-way intersections, we’ll break down the rules you actually need to follow, and why so many crashes and awkward moments happen when people try to be polite instead of predictable.

We’ll also cover:

• The real difference between stop and yield (and how people get it wrong)
• What to do when signs are missing or confusing
• Right-of-way rules at T-intersections and 4-ways
• The “California Stop”—why rolling through is riskier than you think
• How to stop leading with niceness and start leading with clarity

Whether you’re navigating suburban neighborhoods or city grids, this episode is your go-to guide for smarter, smoother, and safer stops.

📬 Have a story about stop sign confusion or a classic 4-way standoff? Share it at freewaytrafficexpert.com or message me @masteringthecommute on Facebook or YouTube.

🎙️ Subscribe for new episodes every Thursday, and check out drivingwithrandy.com for narrated Florida driving breakdowns, smart driving tips, and more.

Chapters

• 0:00 Introduction
• 0:25 Summary of Stop Sign Content
• 0:46 Different Stops - 2 3 and 4 Way
• 1:33 Yield vs. Stop Signs
• 2:36 4-way Stops
• 3:08 3-way Stops
• 3:40 The California Roll
• 5:00 Calm Stop Sign Summary
• 5:46 Episode Wrap-Up/Call to Interact with Listeners

Transcript

You stop. They stop. Now you’re both waving each other on. Awkward. But one of you has the right of way—and it’s not a guessing game.

Welcome to Mastering the Commute and today we’re talking about one of the simplest, most ignored, and most misunderstood rules of the road: the stop sign.

We’ll break down how to handle 2-way, 3-way, and 4-way stops, when you don’t have to wait, and how stop signs are totally different from yield signs—even though drivers treat them the same.

Segment 1: Not All Stop Signs Are Created Equal

Let’s start with a breakdown:

 • A 2-way stop means you stop, but the cross traffic does not.

 • A 3-way stop happens at a T-intersection—where all three roads have stop signs.

 • A 4-way stop means everyone stops, but not all at the same time.

 Look for “3-WAY” or “4-WAY” under the main sign to avoid guesswork.

Segment 2: 

When You Do NOT Have to Wait

Here’s where confusion leads to crashes or at least frustration — I know this from personal experience… :

If you’re at a 2-way stop, and the cross street has no signage, you must yield to all traffic.

It doesn’t matter if someone “waves you on.” You have to wait until it’s clear. You don’t earn a right-of-way—you wait for it.

 (Dashcam clip suggestion: overlay footage of a hesitant driver pulling out into cross traffic at a 2-way stop.

 Segment 2.5: 

Yield Signs Are NOT Stop Signs

This one’s big—especially in roundabouts, freeway onramps, and merge lanes:

A STOP sign = full, complete stop.

A YIELD sign = slow down, check for traffic, and only stop if necessary.

The problem? Most drivers treat yield signs as stop signs—or ignore them altogether.

When to Yield:

 • Merging onto a highway where traffic already on the road has the right of way.

 • Entering a roundabout, where circulating traffic doesn’t stop for you.

 • Slip lanes (right-turn bypass lanes) with a triangle yield sign.

 Real example:

On 417 in Orlando, many entrance ramps have a yield sign at the merge. But I’ve seen drivers stop completely on the ramp—even when there’s a 1/4-mile gap in traffic. That’s not safe. You don’t stop unless you have to.

Yield signs demand judgment. 

Stop signs demand compliance

Segment 3: 

Who Goes First at a 4-Way Stop?

 1. First come, first go.

 2. Two at the same time? The driver on the right goes first.

 3. Left turns yield to straight or right-turning traffic.

Left turns always have the lowest/least right of way.

 4. No need to wave—just go when it’s your turn.

 Common confusion: 

Many drivers think you need to wait for everyone to go before you move. 

That’s wrong. You move in order, not all at once.

Segment 4 : 3-Way Stops – The T-Intersection Twist

At a 3-way stop, especially at a T-intersection:

 • Drivers on the ending road (the bottom of the T) should yield to those going straight across.

 • If two vehicles arrive at once, fall back on right-of-way rules.

 Tip: Watch for hesitation and confusion. Use your signals. Be deliberate and predictable.))

I have a T intersection that I drive through on one of my two ways to get to work, and there’s almost always someone in front of me stays stopped forever when no one on the bottom of the T street stop sign is  even there!

🚨 Segment 5: The Rolling Stop – Why It’s Not Really a Stop

If you grew up driving in California like I did, you might remember the phrase “California stop.” It means rolling through a stop sign—slowing down just enough to feel like you stopped, but never actually bringing the wheels to a full halt. 

Here’s the thing: that’s not just bad form—it’s illegal. A “full and complete stop” means your wheels stop turning, your forward momentum hits zero, and you can actually count “one Mississippi” before moving forward.

I know this from experience, 1999 , Via PRincessa Oframp from the 14 North, CHP got me rolling through. 

Why does this matter?

Because many drivers roll through stop signs assuming they’re clear—especially in neighborhoods or parking lots. But that half-second you save can cost you visibility, lead to a crash with a pedestrian, or cause a collision with someone who did come to a full stop.

🚦 Real-world example: A rolling stop might make sense when no one’s around… but how many times have you seen someone roll through, only to nearly clip a cyclist or someone backing out of a driveway?

It’s a habit born out of overconfidence and impatience. And unfortunately, it’s contagious. One driver rolls, the next follows—and before you know it, nobody’s really stopping anymore.

Quick test:

Next time you hit a stop sign, check yourself. Did you actually stop? Or just pretend?

Segment 6: 

Be the Calm One at the Sign

Most stop sign confusion happens when people try to be nice instead of being clear.

 • Don’t wave others through if it’s your turn.

 • Don’t block the intersection to show courtesy.

 • Just go—calmly, clearly, confidently.

The smoother you move, the more everyone else follows your lead.

Closing Segment – 

Stop Guessing. Start Knowing.

Stop signs are simple—if we follow the rules. Yield signs are different—if we respect the flow. And hesitation causes more problems than decisiveness.

The next time you’re at a 4-way stop or a yield merge, ask yourself: 

“Am I following the system… or trying to be polite?” 

One leads to smooth traffic. The other? Gridlock, confusion, or worse.

(Call to Action - Start Outro Music)Seen stop sign chaos in real life? Caught a 4-way standoff on camera? Email me at freewaytrafficexpert.com, or tag … and Follow me …

Until next time, stop smart, yield wisely, and stay in your lane.

[Outro Music Plays]