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In the UK we have very few stop signs. In fact, in my entire life, I only recall ever coming across 2. We usually have a yield action at intersections so that y

In the UK we have very few stop signs. In fact, in my entire life, I only recall ever coming across 2. We usually have a yield action at intersections so that you only even need to slow if the line of sight at the intersection is impeded to the point you cannot see the flow of traffic. Consequently there is no need to come to a full and complete stop unless the flow of traffic prevents your ability to turn where the yield sign actually requires that you come to a stop while you wait to merge into traffic. This functions far better than the ridiculousness that is stop signs that require you to come to a complete stop even if you are the only car on the road.

throwaway2016a 9y ago
That sounds glorious. Nothing is more frustrating than coming to an intersection with full line of sight for miles in both directions, where you know there is no car that is close enough to hit you, and having to come to a full stop anyway.[1] In my part of the US we have a lot of rotaries (round abouts). Thousands of cars go through them every day, no stopping and no accidents... it can be done. [1] This is of course hyperbole. There are much more frustrating things. Edit: In fact I thought of something better. Waiting 10 minutes at a red light when there is no one else on the road.
- dfox 9y ago
  In europe most of intersections that would be all-way stop in US either do not have any signage or signage to remind drivers of the rules of non-prioritized intersection ("warning, yield to the right"). Small roundabouts were to large extent specific to UK, until various european local authorities found out that building roundabouts is good way to meet their EU grant quotas.
justinhj 9y ago
I’m a British person who had immigrated to North America. A four (or more) way stop sign is not replacing a yield at an intersection, it is replacing a roundabout. The reason you must come to a full stop is to signal to other drivers the time you arrived, since that is strictly the order that people use to go. It’s also a safety issue since you need to check right and left for out of control cars, bikes and so on. As s system I prefer roundabouts as they keep the traffic flowing, but anecdotally the stop sign seems much safer. Finally it’s a an enforcement issue. Cops don’t have to argue that you didn’t slow enough. If you didn’t stop completely you broke the law.
- balabaster 9y ago
  Roundabouts instead of 4 way stops... you know what happens to a roundabout when the power goes out? Nothing.
  - justinhj 9y ago
    Exactly the same happens with a four way stop. It needs 4 sign posts with stop written on

throwaway2016a 9y ago

That sounds glorious. Nothing is more frustrating than coming to an intersection with full line of sight for miles in both directions, where you know there is no car that is close enough to hit you, and having to come to a full stop anyway.[1] In my part of the US we have a lot of rotaries (round abouts). Thousands of cars go through them every day, no stopping and no accidents... it can be done. [1] This is of course hyperbole. There are much more frustrating things. Edit: In fact I thought of something better. Waiting 10 minutes at a red light when there is no one else on the road.

dfox 9y ago
In europe most of intersections that would be all-way stop in US either do not have any signage or signage to remind drivers of the rules of non-prioritized intersection ("warning, yield to the right"). Small roundabouts were to large extent specific to UK, until various european local authorities found out that building roundabouts is good way to meet their EU grant quotas.

justinhj 9y ago

I’m a British person who had immigrated to North America. A four (or more) way stop sign is not replacing a yield at an intersection, it is replacing a roundabout. The reason you must come to a full stop is to signal to other drivers the time you arrived, since that is strictly the order that people use to go. It’s also a safety issue since you need to check right and left for out of control cars, bikes and so on. As s system I prefer roundabouts as they keep the traffic flowing, but anecdotally the stop sign seems much safer. Finally it’s a an enforcement issue. Cops don’t have to argue that you didn’t slow enough. If you didn’t stop completely you broke the law.

balabaster 9y ago
Roundabouts instead of 4 way stops... you know what happens to a roundabout when the power goes out? Nothing.
- justinhj 9y ago
  Exactly the same happens with a four way stop. It needs 4 sign posts with stop written on