GAMEWELL – N.C. Department of Transportation crews will install stop signs and painted lines for an all-way stop at an intersection near two Caldwell County schools this week.
The intersection of Rocky, Calico and Gamewell School roads will become an all-way stop once crews finish the work Thursday, weather permitting. The new traffic pattern will improve traffic flow and safety near Gamewell Elementary and Middle Schools, which serve more than 1,000 students combined.
NCDOT’s Traffic Management Unit recommended the change in a Traffic Operations Study for the two schools.
NCDOT crash data shows all-way stops reduce fatal and injury crashes by 77%, frontal-impact crashes by 75% and total crashes by 68%.
Message boards will alert drivers to the new pattern as they approach the intersection. Drivers approaching an all-way stop should follow these rules:
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The first vehicle to the intersection has the right of way ahead of any vehicle that has not yet arrived;
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When two or more vehicles reach an intersection at the same time, the vehicle to the right has the right of way;
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The vehicle with the right of way may move straight ahead or, if legal and after signaling, turn left or right;
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When two facing vehicles approach an intersection at the same time, both drivers can move straight ahead and 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
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Even with the right of way, remember to use the appropriate turn signals and be careful to avoid hitting other vehicles and/or pedestrians.
Additional changes recommended in the study could be implemented, including a reduced speed limit during school hours on Morganton Boulevard (U.S. 64/N.C. 18) and a barrier to stop left-turns from Gamewell School Road onto Morganton Boulevard.
For real-time travel information, visit DriveNC.gov or follow NCDOT on social media.