How should a driver approach an intersection controlled by a four-way stop?

When approaching an intersection controlled by a four-way stop, drivers should yield to the vehicle that arrived first. This is a fundamental rule of the right-of-way at stop signs, ensuring that traffic flows smoothly and safely through the intersection.

During such situations, all vehicles must come to a complete stop before the limit line or intersection, and the vehicle that arrives first has the right to proceed first. If two vehicles arrive simultaneously, the general guideline is that the vehicle on the right goes first. This protocol helps prevent confusion and reduces the risk of accidents, as all drivers understand their responsibilities and the sequence of movement through the intersection.

Other options suggest behaviors that could create dangerous situations: speeding through the intersection could lead to collisions, always going first disregards the established rules and could result in unsafe driving conditions, and waiting for a traffic signal may lead to unnecessary delays, as a four-way stop functions based on the yield rule rather than signals. Thus, yielding to the vehicle that arrived first is the safest and most appropriate action at a four-way stop.