Right-of-way and intersections
Right-of-way: predictability beats bravado
Right-of-way rules tell you who should yield; they never authorize a collision. If another driver fails to yield, protect yourself first.
Intersection decision tree
- Traffic signal or officer? Obey it.
- Stop/yield sign? Obey it and yield to traffic/pedestrians with priority.
- Uncontrolled intersection? Yield to traffic already in the intersection; when arriving together, yield to the vehicle on your right.
- Turning left? Yield to oncoming traffic close enough to be a hazard and to pedestrians.
Pedestrians: At marked or unmarked crosswalks, yield as required. Before turning right or left, scan the crosswalk—not merely the traffic lane. A green light does not erase a pedestrian’s right-of-way.
High-frequency test situations
- Four-way stop: first vehicle to stop goes first; ties yield to the vehicle on the right. If unclear, communicate and proceed only when safe.
- Yield sign: slow, look, and give priority to traffic/pedestrians already using or close enough to the intersection. You need not stop if the way is clear.
- Emergency vehicle: yield promptly and safely; do not block an intersection.
- Roundabout: yield to traffic already circulating, then enter when there is a safe gap.
Two cars reach an uncontrolled intersection simultaneously. You are on the left. What do you do?
When turning left on green, you must yield to: