BLACK MOUNTAIN – The N.C. Department of Transportation installed new signage last week that converts an intersection in Buncombe County into an all-way stop.
The conversion is intended to improve safety and mobility while reducing dangerous crash patterns including angle crashes at this off-set intersection.
All traffic approaching the intersection of Old U.S. 70 East and Padgettown Road must now come to a complete stop. NCDOT documented 14 crashes in a five-year span at this intersection, and the all-way stop would have reduced or eliminated 12 of the crashes.
In addition to the stop signs, NCDOT crews installed “Stop Ahead" and “New Traffic Pattern," placards in the area, plus new pavement markings to alert drivers.
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.
For real-time travel information, visit DriveNC.gov or follow NCDOT on social media.