Rural four lane crossing — Iowa Permit Test

When crossing or turning left onto a rural four-lane road, do not cross both directions at once; stop in the median.

Traffic on these roads moves very fast. Taking one direction at a time means you only have to judge one gap.

Do not try to cross both directions of traffic at one time to avoid stopping in the median.

At the stop sign before a rural four-lane road, look left and go into the median when it is safe.

The first lanes you cross carry traffic coming from your left, so that is the side to judge before you pull out.

Stop at the stop sign, look left and proceed into the median when safe to do so.

Once in the median of a rural four-lane road, stay stopped, look right, and cross or turn left when safe.

The far lanes carry traffic from your right. Waiting in the median gives you time to find a safe gap.

Remain stopped in the median. Look right.

Longer vehicles such as semis may not be able to stop in a narrow median.

A long truck can stick out into the lanes when the median is narrow, so expect it to stay on the road and give it room.

Be aware that longer vehicles, such as semis, may not be able to stop in the median if the median is narrow.

How should you cross a rural four-lane road that has a median?

Cross one way, then stop in the median. Traffic on these roads moves very fast. Taking one direction at a time means you only have to judge one gap. Iowa Driver's License Manual, p.51: “Do not try to cross both directions of traffic at one time to avoid stopping in the median.”