Q&A - Turning at a Two Way Stop

Q&A Image Question: The intersection at Valley and Summit drive in Kelowna is a 2 way stop for drivers on the North and South side of Valley road. Does the car approaching from the South turning left have the right of way or does the car turning right approaching from the North?

image of two vehicles turning at a two way stop

Right of Way When Turning at a Two Way Stop

If the left turn vehicle arrives at the stop sign first, it turns first after stopping.

If the right turn vehicle arrives at the stop sign first, it turns first after stopping.

The issue occurs when both arrive at the same time. Neither has right of way over the other and neither is on the right of the other (we yield to the vehicle on the right when we arrive at the same time).

Provincial Driving Manual Advice

On page 45 of the current edition of Learn to Drive Smart, our provincial driver training manual, it says "If two vehicles are stopped at a two-way stop and one of the drivers wants to turn left, this driver should yield the right-of- way to the other vehicle. The only exception is if the left-turning vehicle is already in the intersection and has started to make the turn. In this case, the other vehicle must yield."

Right of Way

Remember, right of way is something that is given, not something that is taken. Taking your right of way and causing a collision by doing so could attract liability.

In addition, be cautious of traffic approaching on the through street.

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a left turn, not an acceleration lane

The law here has always been a major PIA for me. Absolutely makes perfect sense. Still, it's a PIA. I do not use it as an acceleration lane, but... it just seems so tailor made to pull into the lane and stop - until a space opens up, then quickly pop right into traffic. Making a series of right turns to find an intersection allowing a lefty? Oy! (sigh). (In Montreal, before they were made into one-way streets, St. Lawrence Blvd, and St Denis Blvd had traffic lights every block, and they were ALL "no left turn" their entire 3 or 4 mile length. What a pain THAT was!)