ROCKINGHAM – A Richmond County
intersection will convert to an all-way stop next week to reduce the risk of
crashes.
The permanent change will occur at Old Cheraw Highway and Ledbetter
Street, southwest of the city of Rockingham. Currently, drivers on Old Cheraw
Highway must stop, while those traveling on Ledbetter Street do not.
Flag operators for the N.C. Department of Transportation will
manage the traffic flow through the intersection while the change is made on
Wednesday, July 11. The date is weather-dependent because workers cannot stripe
the pavement to accompany the additional stop signs in the rain.
Warning signs of the coming change already have been posted near
the intersection. As a reminder, drivers approaching an all-way stop should
follow these rules:
- The first vehicle at the intersection has the right of way;
- When two or more vehicles reach an intersection at the same time,
the vehicle to the right has the right of way and may go straight or, if legal
and after signaling, turn left or right;
- When two facing vehicles approach an intersection simultaneously,
both drivers can move straight ahead or turn right. If one driver is going
straight while the other wants to turn left, the driver who wants to turn left
must yield; and
- Even with the right of way, drivers should remember to use
appropriate turn signals and watch for pedestrians and other vehicles.