Uncontrolled crossroads in heavy rain at dusk
At 19:20 in Bissau, during heavy rain, you are driving a Corolla with four passengers. Your dipped headlights are on, the wipers are at maximum, and the front tyres have about 3 mm of tread. You approach an unmarked four-way junction where the traffic lights are dark because of a power cut. A loaded minibus is coming from your right at about 35 km/h, flashing its lights. A motorcycle with two riders overtakes you on the left and enters the junction without slowing. On the far side, a pedestrian with an umbrella steps off the kerb. You are at 38 km/h, 18 m from the junction, and the road surface is patchy asphalt with standing water. There are no stop or give-way signs visible, and a police officer is standing on the far corner. Your passengers are talking loudly; one asks whether you should speed up to get through first.
1. Who has priority, and what should you do in the next 18 m?
Read the worked answer
The minibus from your right has priority: with no signs, signals or officer controlling the junction, the default is to give way to traffic from the right. The motorcycle does not gain priority by overtaking illegally; it is a hazard, not a right. In 18 m at 38 km/h you have under 2 s before the junction, so do not accelerate. Release the accelerator, brake progressively, and stop before the junction unless the minibus has clearly stopped or is far enough that you can clear the junction without blocking it. Keep the wheels straight, watch the pedestrian, and ignore the passenger's pressure to go first.
2. The minibus flashes its lights and slows. Your passenger says go. How do you sequence your actions and handle the motorcycle and pedestrian?
Read the worked answer
A flash can mean 'I am giving way' or 'I am coming'; it is not a legal signal. Do not move on the flash alone. Check that the minibus is actually stopping and that its path will not cross yours, then look left again for the motorcycle, which may be hidden by rain and glare. Enter only at a speed that lets you stop for the pedestrian, who is on the far side and may step further into the road. If the pedestrian is crossing or about to cross, stop and wait; do not wave them on, because another vehicle may pass. If the motorcycle is still in the junction, hold back rather than trying to beat it. Progress only when the junction is clear and you can clear it completely.
3. After you enter the junction, the police officer signals you to stop. What now?
Read the worked answer
Obey the officer, but do not stop in the middle of the junction if that would block crossing traffic. If you are already committed and stopping would create a hazard, complete the movement to the far side at low speed, then pull over as soon as it is safe and stop. Switch on your hazard lights if you are causing an obstruction. Keep your hands visible, stay calm, and have your licence, insurance and vehicle documents ready. The officer's signal overrides the normal priority rule from that point. Do not argue about the minibus or the motorcycle at the roadside; if you believe a signal was ambiguous, clarify politely after stopping.