If the weather cooperates, the N.C. Department of Transportation will convert a Cleveland area intersection into an all-way stop on Wednesday, Oct. 25.
The department will change the traffic pattern at the intersection of Polenta and Matthews Roads, west of Smithfield. The change is being made to improve safety and help reduce crashes.
Currently, traffic on Matthews Road must stop, but not on Polenta Road, which has Cleveland High School about 1.5 miles away.
Changeable signs already have been deployed to warn drivers of the coming traffic change.
Drivers approaching a four-way stop should follow these right of way 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 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. 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.
