Chapter 6: Navigating the Roads

Knowing the rules for interacting with other vehicles is the essence of safe driving. Rules for yielding the right-of-way, turning, and passing create a predictable traffic environment where drivers can anticipate each other’s actions. Mastering these procedures is not only crucial for passing the road test but is the foundation for avoiding conflicts and collisions on every trip.

Right-of-Way

Right-of-way rules determine who must yield and who has the legal right to proceed in various traffic situations. However, the right-of-way is something to be given, not taken. A driver should never insist on their right-of-way if it means risking a collision. The primary goal is always safety.

• Uncontrolled Intersections: At an intersection with no signs or signals, the vehicle that arrives first has the right-of-way. If two vehicles arrive at the same time, the driver on the left must yield to the driver on their right.
• Four-Way Stops: The first vehicle to arrive at the intersection and come to a complete stop proceeds first. If two or more vehicles arrive simultaneously, the driver on the left yields to the driver on the right. If two vehicles arrive at the same time from opposite directions, the vehicle going straight has the right-of-way over the vehicle turning left.
• Entering a Roadway: Drivers entering a road from a private driveway, alley, or roadside must stop and yield the right-of-way to all approaching vehicles and pedestrians.
• Merging: When merging onto a highway from an on-ramp, drivers on the ramp must yield to traffic already on the highway. Drivers already on the highway should, if possible and safe, move over a lane to allow merging traffic to enter smoothly.
• Pedestrians: Drivers must yield to pedestrians in any marked or unmarked crosswalk. At a green light, turning vehicles must yield to any pedestrians crossing the street.
• Emergency Vehicles: When an emergency vehicle (police, fire, ambulance) approaches using its siren and flashing lights, all drivers must immediately pull over to the right-hand edge of the road, clear of any intersection, and stop. Drivers must remain stopped until the emergency vehicle has passed.