Uncontrolled intersection: right turn, ute from the right, cyclist behind
You are driving north on a wet two-way residential street at about 45 km/h. It is 5:10 pm on a Friday and the low sun is directly ahead. You approach a four-way intersection with no stop or give-way signs and no lane markings. You intend to turn right into the eastern arm. A van is approaching from the north, southbound, with no indicator showing. A ute is approaching from the east, westbound, also going straight. A cyclist in a yellow jacket is riding north about 15 metres behind you and is not signalling. A pedestrian with a pram is waiting on the footpath at the zebra crossing on the eastern arm, about 20 metres past the intersection. The road is greasy after rain, and your windscreen is partly affected by glare.
1. Before you turn right, which road users must you give way to, and why? Explain how the answer changes if the southbound van signals a left turn.
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You must give way to the ute coming from the east. At an uncontrolled intersection, the give-way-to-the-right rule applies, so the ute is entitled to proceed before you. You must also give way to the southbound van. Because you are turning right, you must give way to oncoming traffic that is going straight or turning left. If the van signals left, that does not give you priority: a left-turning oncoming vehicle is still one of the vehicles you must give way to when turning right. The cyclist is behind you and is not coming from your right, so the right-hand rule does not require you to give way to them. However, you must not turn across the cyclist if they are passing you on the left. After you turn, you must give way to the pedestrian at the marked crossing. The practical sequence is: wait for the ute, wait for the van, check for the cyclist, then turn and be ready to stop for the pedestrian.
2. The cyclist behind you intends to continue straight through the intersection. What should you do as you slow to wait for a gap, and why?
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Signal early, check your mirrors and blind spot, and avoid swinging left or right as you slow. A right-turning driver is a common cause of crashes with cyclists who are continuing straight, because the driver turns across the cyclist's path. Even if the cyclist is legally behind you, you must not make a turn that forces them to brake or swerve. If the cyclist is coming up on your left, wait until they have passed or are clearly stopping before you turn. Do not assume the cyclist will give way just because you are indicating. In the wet, with glare, your ability to see the cyclist and their ability to see your indicator are both reduced, so a shoulder check and a second look are essential.
3. As you begin your turn, the pedestrian with the pram steps onto the zebra crossing. What must you do, and what does the wet road add to the decision?
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You must stop and give way. A pedestrian on a marked zebra crossing has the right of way, and you must not force them to stop or step back. The wet road increases your stopping distance and reduces grip, so you need to approach the crossing already slow enough to stop comfortably. Glare can hide a pedestrian until late, so your speed should allow you to stop within the distance you can see to be clear. Do not wave the pedestrian across if another lane of traffic is still moving; let them decide when it is safe. After the pedestrian has cleared your path, proceed only when the intersection is clear and you have rechecked for the cyclist.