Biddeford Police Department Wants Drivers to Be Aware of Four-Way Stops

The Biddeford Police Department is trying to get drivers' attention at four-way stop signs in the city by giving them a refresher course on how they work.

Four-way stop signs are pretty simple and one of the first things you learn when you are taught to drive. Some people, however, still don't understand how they work, and the Biddeford Police Department is cracking down on these simple rules of the road:

• First come, first go. The vehicle that arrives and comes to a complete stop first has the right of way.
• Arrive at the same time? The driver on the left must yield to the driver on the right.
• Turning left? You must yield to oncoming vehicles heading straight or turning right. Always use your turn signals so others know your intentions. This small action dramatically reduces confusion.
• Proceed with caution. Make eye contact or use clear cues when possible to ensure all drivers understand who is moving next.

Biddeford officers are also noticing drivers “waving out” another driver. It seems like a nice thing to do, but it's actually very dangerous and disrupts the flow of traffic.

Waving someone to move out of turn leads to hesitation, misunderstandings, and sometimes collisions. If another driver waves you through, pause and double-check that the intersection is truly safe before proceeding.

Following these simple guidelines helps protect not only drivers, but also pedestrians and cyclists who rely on consistent, predictable behavior at intersections. By staying alert and respecting right-of-way rules, crashes will be reduced, and everyone will be safer because of it.