Chapter 6: Navigating the Roads

Properly navigating the road involves a constant series of decisions about when to go, when to wait, and how to interact with other vehicles. The rules of right-of-way, turning, and passing are the foundation of an orderly and safe traffic system, preventing chaos and conflict at intersections and on highways. A driver who masters these procedures can anticipate the actions of others and move through traffic with confidence and safety, which is a core skill tested on the driving exam.

Right-of-Way

Right-of-way is the legal principle that determines who has the privilege to proceed first in a given traffic situation. It is a rule of yielding; right-of-way is something a driver gives, not something a driver takes. If another driver fails to yield, a safe driver should let them go to avoid a crash.

• Uncontrolled Intersections: At an intersection with no signs or signals, the driver on the left must yield the right-of-way to the vehicle on their right. If a driver arrives at the intersection first, they have the right-of-way over drivers who arrive after them.
• All-Way Stops: At an intersection where all directions have a stop sign, the first vehicle to arrive and come to a complete stop is the first to proceed. If two or more vehicles arrive at the same time, the driver on the left must yield to the driver on their immediate right.
• T-Intersections: At a T-intersection where one road ends and another continues, traffic on the terminating road must stop and yield the right-of-way to all vehicles and pedestrians on the through street.
• Driveways and Alleys: A driver entering a public street from a private driveway, alley, or building must stop before the sidewalk and yield the right-of-way to all approaching vehicles and pedestrians.
• Merging: When merging onto a highway from an on-ramp, the driver must yield to all traffic already traveling on the main road.
• Pedestrians: Drivers must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians in marked or unmarked crosswalks at intersections. Drivers must also yield to pedestrians who are blind and are carrying a white cane or are accompanied by a guide dog.
• Emergency Vehicles: A driver must immediately yield the right-of-way to an approaching police car, fire truck, ambulance, or other emergency vehicle using a siren or flashing lights. The driver must pull over to the right-hand edge of the road, clear of any intersection, and stop until the emergency vehicle has passed.

Common Mistake:
At a four-way stop, many drivers become confused when two vehicles arrive at the same time. The rule is simple: the vehicle on the right has the right-of-way. The driver on the left must wait for the other to proceed.