Chapter 6: Navigating the Roads

Knowing how to properly yield, turn, and pass is the foundation of safe and cooperative driving. These rules are not just suggestions; they are a predictable system that, when followed by everyone, prevents conflicts and serious collisions. Mastering these fundamental maneuvers is critical for passing the road test and for navigating New Hampshire’s roadways with confidence and safety.

Navigating the road involves a constant series of decisions based on a set of established rules. These rules dictate who has the right-of-way in various situations, the correct procedures for changing direction, and the specific circumstances under which it is safe and legal to pass another vehicle.

Right-of-Way

The concept of right-of-way is about determining who should proceed first in a situation where vehicle paths might cross. It is important to understand that the law never grants you the right-of-way; it only requires you to yield it to others. A safe driver is always prepared to stop and let another driver proceed to avoid a collision.

• Uncontrolled Intersections: At an intersection with no signs or signals, the first vehicle to arrive has the right to go first. If two vehicles arrive at the same time, the driver on the left must yield to the driver on the right.
• All-Way Stops: At a four-way stop, the rule is “first to stop, first to go.” If two or more vehicles stop simultaneously, the driver on the left must yield to the driver on the right.
• Left Turns: A driver intending to make a left turn must yield to all oncoming traffic.
• Driveways and Private Roads: When entering a public road from a driveway, alley, or private road, you must stop and yield to all traffic and pedestrians already on the public road.
• Merging: When merging onto a highway or interstate, you must yield to the traffic already traveling in the lane you wish to enter.
• Pedestrians: Drivers must yield to pedestrians in marked or unmarked crosswalks at intersections. You must also yield to visually impaired pedestrians using a guide dog or a white cane.
• Emergency Vehicles: When you see or hear an emergency vehicle (police, fire, ambulance) approaching with its lights and siren active, you must immediately pull over to the right side of the road and stop. Remain stopped until the emergency vehicle has passed. Do not block an intersection.