Right-of-way, junctions and priority rules
Priority is a rule, not a courtesy
At an uncontrolled junction in Iraq, yield to traffic approaching from your right. At a roundabout, traffic already circulating has priority, so you give way to the left. At a T-junction, the road ending gives way. Signs and signals override these defaults.
Junctions
- A driver turning left across oncoming traffic must give way to oncoming vehicles going straight or turning right.
- Pedestrians at a marked crossing have priority once they step onto it; approach ready to stop.
- Emergency vehicles with sirens and lights: give way, but do not break the law dangerously.
- Do not enter a junction unless your exit is clear.
- At a merge, the joining driver gives way unless signs say otherwise.
Worked example
You reach a four-way uncontrolled junction at the same time as a car on your left. The other driver flashes headlights. The rule still puts you in the priority position because the car is on your left, but flashing is not a legal signal and you should proceed only after making eye contact and confirming the way is clear. If the other car moves, yield to avoid a collision.
Traps
Waving another driver through and then moving yourself; assuming a bigger vehicle has priority; treating a flash as a formal right-of-way; and forgetting that roundabout priority reverses in left-hand-traffic countries.