ASHEVILLE – The N.C. Department of Transportation recently installed new signage that converted two Buncombe County intersections into all-way stops.
The conversions are intended to reduce crash patterns at both intersections.
All traffic approaching the intersection of Old N.C. 20 at Jenkins Valley Road in Alexander and the intersection of Alexander Road at Bear Creek Road in Leicester must now come to a complete stop.
NCDOT crash data shows all-way stops reduce total crashes by 55%, fatal and serious injury crashes by 92% and frontal-impact crashes with minor injuries by 72%.
Drivers approaching an all-way stop should follow these rules:
- The first vehicle to the intersection has the right of way ahead of any vehicle that has not yet arrived;
- When two or more vehicles reach an intersection at the same time, the vehicle to the right has the right of way;
- The vehicle with the right of way may move straight ahead or, if legal and after signaling, turn left or right;
- When two facing vehicles approach an intersection at the same time, both drivers can move straight ahead and turn right. If one driver is going straight while the other wants to turn left, the driver who wants to turn left must yield. The driver who is traveling straight ahead has the right of way; and
- Even with the right of way, remember to use the appropriate turn signals and be careful to avoid hitting other vehicles and/or pedestrians.