Chapter 6: Navigating the Roads

Knowing the rules of navigation is the foundation of safe, cooperative driving. These rules, especially those concerning right-of-way, turning, and passing, are designed to prevent conflicts between vehicles and ensure a predictable flow of traffic. Mastering these procedures is essential for the Kansas knowledge exam and for developing the judgment needed to handle complex traffic situations safely and confidently.

Right-of-Way

The concept of right-of-way is not about having a right, but about knowing who must yield (give way) to another road user to prevent a collision. The law never grants anyone the absolute right-of-way; it only states who must yield. If another driver fails to yield, you must do everything you can to avoid a crash.

• Uncontrolled Intersections: At an intersection with no signs or signals, the driver of the vehicle on the left must yield to the vehicle on the right. If two vehicles arrive at the same time, the driver on the left must let the driver on the right go first.
• All-Way Stops: At intersections where all directions have a stop sign (e.g., a 4-way stop), the first vehicle to arrive and come to a complete stop should proceed first. If two or more vehicles arrive simultaneously, the driver on the left must yield to the driver on their immediate right.
• Driveways, Alleys, and Private Roads: A driver entering a public street from a driveway, alley, or private road must stop and yield the right-of-way to all approaching traffic and pedestrians.
• Merging: When merging onto a highway or changing lanes, the driver entering the lane of traffic must yield to vehicles already in that lane.
• Pedestrians: Drivers must yield to pedestrians in any marked or unmarked crosswalk at an intersection. You must also yield to any pedestrian guided by a dog or using a white cane, stopping completely until they have passed.
• Emergency Vehicles: When an emergency vehicle (police, fire, ambulance) approaches using its siren and flashing lights, drivers must immediately pull over to the right-hand edge of the road, clear of any intersection, and stop. Remain stopped until the emergency vehicle has passed. For stationary emergency or maintenance vehicles with flashing lights, the “Move Over Law” requires you to slow down and, if possible and safe, move into a lane that is not adjacent to the stopped vehicle.