Right-of-Way and Intersections
Where right-of-way comes from
Right-of-way is something the law assigns and drivers yield - it is never taken. Signs, signals and markings settle most conflicts; where there are none, these rules apply.
- Uncontrolled intersections: yield to traffic already in the intersection and to the vehicle on your right.
- Four-way stop: first to stop, first to go. If two arrive together, the driver on the left yields to the driver on the right.
- Left turns: a driver turning left yields to oncoming traffic going straight or turning right, and to pedestrians in the crosswalk.
- Entering a road: from a driveway, parking lot, alley or private road you yield to all traffic already on the road, including cyclists and pedestrians on the sidewalk.
- Roundabouts: yield to traffic already circulating (approaching from your left), enter to the right, and don't stop inside the circle.
- Pedestrians: yield at marked crosswalks and at unmarked crosswalks at intersections; never pass a vehicle stopped at a crosswalk.
Worked example
You and another car reach a four-way stop at the same moment - you on the north approach, the other car on the east approach. You are the driver on the left, so you yield and let the other car go first. If that driver waves you through, the wave does not transfer the legal duty: proceed only when you are certain it is safe.
Traps that cost marks
- Assuming the largest vehicle always has priority.
- Waiting for a wave instead of following the order of arrival.
- Turning left in front of a car close enough to be a hazard.
- Entering a roundabout without looking left.
- Stopping inside a roundabout to let someone in.