Night-time intersection with a flashing yellow and a pedestrian
It is 11 pm and you are driving on an unlit suburban road at 50 km/h in a 50 km/h zone. You approach a four-way intersection where the traffic lights are dark and a yellow light is flashing. The cross street has a stop sign facing it, but the sign is partly obscured by a tree. A pedestrian in dark clothing is walking along the left footpath toward the crossing. Your headlights are on low beam. A car approaches from the right on the cross street at a steady speed, and its indicator is not visible. Rain has just started and the road is greasy.
1. What does the flashing yellow light require, and who has right of way?
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A flashing yellow light means proceed with caution; it does not give you an automatic right of way. The cross street has a stop sign, so vehicles there must stop and give way to traffic on your road. However, the sign is partly obscured, so you cannot rely on the other driver having seen or obeyed it. You should slow down, be prepared to stop, and check that the car on the right is actually stopping before you enter the intersection. Right of way is something you yield, not something you assert. On a greasy road after rain, your stopping distance is longer, so reduce speed early.
2. How should you handle the pedestrian and the car on the right at the same time?
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Scan for the pedestrian first: dark clothing at night is hard to see, so look for movement and shape near the crossing, and be ready to stop if they step onto the road. At the same time, watch the car on the right; if it does not appear to be slowing, give way even though it has the stop sign, because a collision is worse than being delayed. If the pedestrian reaches the crossing, you must give way to them. If both hazards develop, stop before the crossing line and wait until both are clear. Do not flash your headlights or wave the other driver through, as this can cause confusion with the pedestrian present.
3. What speed and gear should you use through the intersection, and why?
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Approach at a speed from which you can stop within the distance you can see to be clear, which at night on a greasy road may be well below 50 km/h. Change down to a lower gear so you have engine braking available and can respond quickly without fumbling. Cover the brake pedal as you near the crossing. Keep low beam on so you do not dazzle the other driver, and use your indicators early to show your intention. Once you have confirmed the car is stopping and the pedestrian is clear, accelerate smoothly away. The principle is to match speed to visibility and grip, not to the posted limit.