Who has the right-of-way at a 4-way stop in MS? What state law says
Four-way stops may seem like a common sense situation, but there are specific rules Mississippi drivers must follow to avoid a wreck or penalties.
Many people believe that four-way stops help reduce crashes and fatalities due to car crashes, but intersection crashes still happen — most often because of a lack of communication among drivers, according to Mississippi-based personal injury attorneys Pittman, Roberts & Welsh.
Here’s a refresher on how to approach four-way stops while driving in Mississippi.
Who has the right-of-way at an MS intersection?
The right-of-way at a four-way stop in Mississippi is determined by which vehicle arrives first after all vehicles stop. The first vehicle to arrive has the right-of-way, according to the Mississippi Department of Public Safety.
The same rule applies to two-way stops: the first vehicle to arrive at a stop sign has the right-of-way, according to the agency.
Who goes first if two drivers stop at the same time?
If multiple drivers stop at the same time at a four-way stop, the vehicle on the right has the right-of-way, according to the MSDPS.
At a two-way stop, it’s the vehicle intending to travel straight across that has the right-of-way when both vehicles stop at the same time, the agency said.
Intersection tips
Here are some other guidelines to help you stay safe at intersections, according to the MSDPS:
- Always approach any cross street or road with extreme caution
- If you can’t see the whole intersection as you approach, slow down and proceed cautiously
- Look both directions before you cross
- If traffic is blocked as you approach an intersection, stop before you reach to crosswalk and wait for it to move
- Slow down and stop if required as you approach an intersection. Gradually increase your speed as you clear it
- Drive defensively, don’t assume pedestrians or other drivers understand your intentions
Special conditions for yielding in MS
There are certain instances where another party always has the right-of-way in Mississippi, according to Pittman, Roberts & Welsh. These are the situations:
- School buses stopped to let children on or off
- Pedestrians always have the right-of-way
- Emergency vehicles
Penalties for failing to yield in MS
If a driver fails to stop at a four-way intersection in Mississippi, they could be fined up to $100 for a first offense or spend up to 10 days in jail, according to Driving Laws.
The penalty for a second offense is a fine of up to $200 and a maximum of 20 days in jail, and a third offense goes up to $500 and a maximum of six months in jail, according to Driving Laws.
