Right-of-way at an unregulated crossroads with a tram and a turning truck
Anna approaches an unregulated intersection of equal roads in Grodno on her category AM moped at 40 km/h. She intends to go straight. Three other road users arrive at almost the same moment: a tram coming from the opposite direction and going straight; a heavy truck coming from the opposite direction with its left indicator on, about to turn across Anna's path; and a car on the road to Anna's right, which has stopped but is edging forward. There are no signs giving priority and no traffic controller. Anna's front brake is weak and her moped's engine is small, so acceleration from a stop is slow. Rain has just started and the road markings are glossy.
1. Who has priority, and in what order should Anna let the others go?
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At an unregulated intersection of equal roads the general rule is give way to traffic approaching from the right. The tram, however, has priority over all road vehicles at an equal intersection regardless of the side it comes from, so the tram goes first. The truck is coming from the opposite direction and turning left across Anna's path, so it must yield to Anna, who is going straight. The car on Anna's right must be given way to by Anna. The practical order is: tram, then the car from the right, then Anna, with the truck waiting for Anna. Anna must not rely on the truck's indicator alone; she should confirm the truck is actually slowing before she commits.
2. What should Anna do if the truck begins its turn despite her priority?
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Priority is not a right to collide. If the truck starts to turn, Anna must slow or stop and let it complete the turn, because a heavy vehicle's turning path sweeps wide and its driver may not see a small moped. With a weak front brake and a wet glossy surface she should brake mainly with the rear brake, keep the handlebars straight, and avoid braking on the painted line. She should also move out of the truck's swept path rather than hold her line. Afterwards she may report the truck's failure to yield, but the immediate duty is to avoid the collision.
3. How does the moped's limited acceleration change Anna's plan for entering the intersection?
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A slow vehicle needs a bigger gap. Anna should approach at reduced speed, select a gear or throttle setting that keeps the engine in its useful range, and be ready to stop completely rather than creep into the junction. If she has to stop, she should stop before the crossing, not on it, so the painted surface and the pedestrian path stay clear. She should wait for a gap that lets her clear the intersection without forcing anyone to brake, and she should not try to follow the tram closely through the junction, because the tram's length and the truck's turn will close the gap.