The intersection of Williams White Road and Pilot-Riley Road north of Zebulon in Franklin County is being switched to a permanent all-way stop intersection on Thursday, March 2, weather permitting. The current traffic pattern requires vehicles to stop on Williams White Road while traffic on Pilot-Riley Road does not have to stop.
Crews will install stop signs on Pilot-Riley Road, as well as upgrade the pavement markings on both roads to alert motorists of the new traffic pattern. On-site flagmen will handle traffic control through the intersection while work is underway on Thursday.
An NCDOT traffic study determined the change was needed because of increased traffic volume at the intersection and other factors.
The conversion is intended to improve safety at the intersection. A statewide study by the department that reviewed more than 50 intersections that underwent the same conversion to an all-way stop showed a 68 percent reduction in crashes, including a 77 percent drop in fatality and injury crashes, and a 75 percent reduction in front-impact crashes.
As drivers approach an all-way stop intersection, these are the 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.