08/10/2026
🛑 RANDY ROLLSTOP AND THE GREAT FOUR-WAY STANDOFF 🛑
Randy Rollstop was running late.
Randy was often running late, mostly because he believed “leaving on time” was something other people did.
This particular morning, Randy was headed to the hardware store for one bolt. Unfortunately, his route took him past the convenience store, where Randy made an unscheduled stop for a maple-frosted donut roughly the size of a steering wheel.
But experience suggested Randy would eventually return home with two power tools, an empty donut wrapper, and no bolt.
As Randy approached a stop sign, he took his foot off the accelerator, looked both ways, and coasted through at about five miles per hour.
“There,” Randy said. “Stopped.”
Randy’s pickup had not stopped.
It had slowed down. It had considered stopping. It may even have wanted to stop—but at no point did the vehicle quit moving.
Randy had performed what he called a “California stop.”
South Dakota law calls it something else.
Deputy Justin Case happened to be traveling behind Randy and watched the entire maneuver.
He did not turn on his emergency lights. Not yet.
Deputy Case was curious to see what Randy would do at the four-way stop one block ahead.
Randy noticed the patrol vehicle in his mirror and glanced protectively at the maple-frosted donut resting on the passenger seat.
“He probably just wants my donut,” Randy muttered.
At the four-way stop, Randy found three other vehicles converging on the intersection.
First-Stop Fiona had already come to a complete stop before everyone else.
Right-Side Rita stopped at approximately the same time as Randy and was positioned to his right.
A moment later, Left-Turn Larry arrived across the intersection with his left-turn signal flashing.
The correct order was fairly simple:
First-Stop Fiona arrived first, so she should proceed first.
Because Randy and Right-Side Rita arrived at approximately the same time, Randy should yield to Rita—the driver on his right.
After Rita cleared the intersection, Randy should proceed next.
Left-Turn Larry arrived last, so he should wait until the other vehicles cleared before making his turn.
Unfortunately, Randy was not using those rules.
Randy was using the rules contained in the seldom-read Randy Rollstop Driver’s Manual:
Rule One: The largest pickup goes first.
Rule Two: If uncertain, wave everybody else forward.
Rule Three: After waving someone forward, immediately start moving yourself.
Randy waved Fiona forward.
Fiona started to move.
Randy also started to move.
They both stopped.
Randy waved again—this time with considerably more enthusiasm.
Fiona cautiously entered the intersection while Randy’s pickup continued creeping forward.
Right-Side Rita saw Randy moving and assumed he intended to go next, so she waited.
Randy saw Rita waiting and waved her forward.
Rita started moving.
Randy started moving again.
They both hit their brakes.
Left-Turn Larry, believing everyone had finally made a decision, began his turn.
Randy honked at Larry.
Larry pointed at Randy.
Rita threw both hands in the air.
Fiona, who had already escaped the intersection, continued toward work and reconsidered every decision that had led her to that moment.
For several seconds, the four-way stop looked less like traffic control and more like four polite strangers trying to hold the same door open for one another.
That was when Deputy Justin Case activated his emergency lights.
Randy pulled over.
Before Deputy Case reached the driver’s window, Randy carefully moved the donut farther away from the door.
Deputy Case approached.
“Good morning, Randy. Do you know why I stopped you?”
Randy glanced at the donut.
“Is this about the maple frosting?”
“No, Randy. This is about what happened at that four-way stop.”
“A four-way stop?”
“The ‘four-way’ part was obvious,” Deputy Case said. “It was the ‘stop’ part that appeared to be missing.”
“I slowed down.”
“That is not the same thing.”
“I was trying to be courteous.”
“Courtesy is good,” Deputy Case replied. “Predictability is better. Other drivers need to know what you are doing.”
Deputy Case then explained the rules:
🛑 At every stop sign, bring your vehicle to a complete stop.
The vehicle itself must stop moving. Slowing down, rolling, or creeping through the intersection is not a complete stop.
Stop at the marked stop line. If there is no stop line, stop before entering the crosswalk. If there is no crosswalk, stop at the point where you can safely see approaching traffic.
🚗 At a regular stop sign, yield to traffic that does not have a stop sign.
Your stop sign controls you. It does not magically create stop signs for cross traffic.
1️⃣ At a four-way stop, the first vehicle to complete its stop generally proceeds first.
➡️ If two vehicles arrive at approximately the same time, the driver on the left yields to the driver on the right.
↪️ If two vehicles are opposite one another, a driver turning left yields to a vehicle traveling straight or turning right.
💡 Use your turn signal.
Other drivers cannot negotiate the intersection properly if they have to guess where you are going.
⚠️ When it is your turn and the intersection is clear, proceed carefully and decisively.
Do not wave someone forward and then drive into the same space you just invited them to occupy.
Deputy Case finished the explanation and returned to his patrol vehicle without looking at the donut even once.
Randy remained suspicious.
He eventually made it to the hardware store.
He purchased two power tools, a flashlight, and a pair of sunglasses.
He forgot the bolt.
But on the way home, Randy came to a complete stop at every stop sign.
Mostly because Deputy Justin Case was still behind him.
Randy remained convinced the deputy could probably still smell the maple frosting.
Randy eventually returned home with two power tools, an empty donut wrapper, and no bolt—just as expected.
He did, however, return with a much better understanding of stop signs.
Considering how the morning began, that counted as progress.
Stop completely. Know the order. Signal your intentions. Take your turn.
A four-way stop should require cooperation—not choreography.
— Butte County Sheriff’s Office
South Dakota law: SDCL 32-29-2.1, SDCL 32-26-13, and SDCL 32-26-19.
