Right-of-Way and Intersections
Who Goes First, and When
Right-of-way questions reward a simple hierarchy. At an uncontrolled intersection (no signs or signals), the vehicle that arrives first goes first; if two arrive at the same time, yield to the vehicle on your right. At a four-way stop the same rule applies - first to arrive, first to go, and right-hand rule for ties. A vehicle already in the intersection has the right-of-way over one waiting to enter.
When turning left, you must yield to oncoming traffic going straight or turning right, and to pedestrians in the crosswalk. When turning right on red, you must come to a complete stop first, yield to pedestrians and cross traffic, and proceed only if no sign prohibits it. A green arrow gives you a protected turn, but you should still check for vehicles clearing the intersection.
Pedestrians always have the right-of-way in a marked or unmarked crosswalk. Even if a pedestrian is jaywalking, you must make every effort to avoid striking them. Vehicles must also yield to blind pedestrians using a cane or guide dog, and to anyone already in the crosswalk when your light turns green.
Emergency vehicles with lights and siren have the right-of-way - pull to the right and stop. School buses with flashing red lights and an extended stop arm require you to stop in both directions on an undivided road; on a divided highway, only traffic behind the bus must stop.
Trap: the question that asks who yields when two cars arrive together - the answer is the one on the left yields to the one on the right, not the larger or faster vehicle.
Rule of thumb: first there goes first; tie goes to the right; left turners yield to everyone.