ELLENBORO – The N.C. Department of Transportation installed new signage this week that converts an intersection near a church in Rutherford 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 intersection.
All traffic approaching the intersection of Main Street (U.S. 74B) and New House Road must now come to a complete stop. Previously, traffic on Main Street had no direction to stop. A review of crash history during a 10-year span revealed 24 crashes at this intersection, and the all-way stop would have reduced or eliminated at least 19 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%.
- 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.