Chapter 6: Navigating the Roads

Knowing the rules for navigating the road is the essence of safe driving. These rules, centered on yielding the right-of-way, turning, and passing, create a predictable environment that prevents conflicts and collisions. A driver who masters these concepts can anticipate the actions of others and make decisions that protect themselves, their passengers, and everyone else sharing the road.

Navigating Michigan’s roadways safely requires a deep understanding of the laws that govern traffic movement. These rules are not suggestions; they are legal requirements that dictate who has the right to proceed in any given situation. This includes the universal concept of right-of-way, the precise procedures for making turns, and the strict regulations on when it is safe and legal to pass another vehicle.

Right-of-Way

Right-of-way is the legal principle that determines which driver has the authority to proceed first. However, it is crucial to remember that the right-of-way is something a driver gives, not something they take. A safe driver is always prepared to yield to prevent a crash, even if they legally have the right-of-way.

• Uncontrolled Intersections: At an intersection with no signs or signals, the first vehicle to arrive has the right-of-way. If two or more vehicles arrive at the same time, the driver on the left must yield to the driver on their immediate right.
• All-Way Stops: At intersections where all directions have a stop sign, the first vehicle to come to a complete stop has the right to proceed first. If two or more vehicles stop simultaneously, the driver on the left must yield to the driver on the right.
• Driveways and Alleys: A driver entering a street from a driveway, alley, or private road must stop and yield the right-of-way to all pedestrians and vehicles already on the main road.
• Merging: When merging onto a freeway or highway, the driver entering the roadway must yield to traffic already traveling on it. The entering driver is responsible for adjusting their speed to find a safe gap in traffic.
• Pedestrians: Drivers must yield to pedestrians in all marked and unmarked crosswalks. At a green light, a driver must still yield to pedestrians in the intersection. Extra caution is required around visually impaired pedestrians using a white cane or guide dog.

Emergency Vehicles

This is a critical rule with two parts.

1. Approaching Vehicle: When an emergency vehicle (police, fire, ambulance) is approaching from any direction with its lights and siren active, all drivers must immediately pull over to the right edge of the road, clear of any intersections, and stop. Remain stopped until the emergency vehicle has passed.
2. Stationary Vehicle: When approaching a stationary emergency vehicle with its lights flashing, drivers must slow down to 10 mph below the posted speed limit and, if possible, move over one full lane away from the vehicle. This “Move Over Law” also applies to tow trucks and road maintenance vehicles.