Traffic Rules and Right-of-Way: Who Goes First?
Right-of-way rules resolve conflicts at junctions, roundabouts, and narrow roads. The default in Ethiopia, as in most right-hand-traffic countries, is give way to traffic approaching from your right at an uncontrolled intersection - but this is overridden by signs, signals, or markings. A stop sign or give-way line removes your priority entirely. At a roundabout, traffic already circulating has priority; you yield on entry.
Other core rules: keep left unless overtaking on multi-lane roads is not the Ethiopian rule - you drive on the right and overtake on the left. Overtaking is prohibited on solid lines, at pedestrian crossings, on blind bends, and near junctions. Following distance should allow a two-second gap in good conditions, doubled in rain or at night. Emergency vehicles with sirens and flashing lights have priority; pull over and stop if necessary.
Question traps: the 'right-hand rule' is often tested without a sign, then again with a sign to see if you notice the override. Another trap is the unmarked junction where one road is clearly wider - width does not create priority; the right-hand rule still applies unless signed. Finally, watch for filter lanes where a turn arrow gives priority over oncoming traffic only when the arrow is green.
Rule of thumb: signs beat signals, signals beat markings, markings beat the default rule, and the default rule beats nothing.