The Rolling Stop at a Four-Way With a Stalled Truck
You are westbound on a two-lane city street approaching an uncontrolled four-way intersection. A large box truck is stopped in the southbound lane, angled slightly into the intersection with its hood up; the driver is out front waving people around. A cyclist is northbound, hugging the right edge and slowing. A sedan is eastbound, already stopped, left turn signal on. You plan to continue straight west. As you slow, the sedan begins creeping forward to turn left across your path. Your lane is partly blocked because the truck's rear corner juts about two feet into it. The cyclist has not yet reached the corner. It is daylight, dry, and visibility is clear.
1. Who has the right-of-way, and what should you do in the first three seconds?
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There is no stop sign or signal, so no one is automatically 'first.' The sedan turning left must yield to oncoming traffic going straight (you), but the stalled truck has made the geometry abnormal and the sedan is already creeping, which signals it may not see you. Your job is not to insist on your legal priority but to avoid a collision. Ease off the accelerator, cover the brake, and reduce speed enough that you could stop if the sedan keeps coming. Do not swerve left into the oncoming northbound side where the cyclist is; do not swerve right into the truck. Straight-line braking plus a horn tap if the sedan continues is the correct response.
2. How does the cyclist change your plan, and what do you do if the sedan commits to the turn?
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The cyclist is northbound on your right, so your escape route to the right is closing. If the sedan commits, brake firmly and straight; do not steer around the front of the sedan into the cyclist's path. After the sedan clears, proceed only when you can do so without crowding the cyclist, who is a vulnerable road user and may be pushed toward the truck if you swing wide. Give the cyclist room, wait for a clear gap, and pass the truck's protruding corner slowly, checking that no one is stepping out from behind it.