Intersections and Right-of-Way
Types of intersections
Intersections are either regulated (by controller or lights) or unregulated. At a regulated intersection the signal decides; at an unregulated one the priority signs decide, and if there are none, the 'right-hand rule' applies - yield to traffic approaching from the right. A main road (yellow diamond) grants priority over side roads regardless of the right-hand rule.
Turning and yielding
When turning left, a driver must yield to oncoming traffic going straight or right. When turning right, the driver must yield to pedestrians and cyclists crossing the road being entered. A vehicle entering a roundabout must yield to traffic already on it unless signs say otherwise. A driver must not enter an intersection if traffic beyond it would block the exit.
Traps in questions
A classic trap is the 'equal roads' case where two vehicles arrive together: the right-hand rule decides. Another is the tram: at an unregulated intersection a tram has priority over other vehicles approaching on an equal road, but not over a main road. Questions also test the left-turn yield to oncoming traffic, and the rule that a driver turning must yield to pedestrians crossing the road being left or entered.
Rule of thumb
At an unregulated intersection: sign first, then right-hand rule, then tram priority. If you cannot clear the junction, do not enter it.
Worked example
Two cars arrive simultaneously at an unregulated intersection of equal roads, one from the north going south, one from the east going west. The east car is on the right of the north car, so the north car must yield.