Chapter 6: Navigating the Roads

Knowing the rules for navigating intersections, turns, and other traffic situations is the foundation of safe, defensive driving. These rules, especially those concerning right-of-way, are designed to create a predictable and orderly flow of traffic, preventing conflicts and collisions. Mastering these procedures is essential for the road test and for handling the complex interactions that occur on the road every day.

Right-of-Way

Right-of-way rules determine which driver has the legal right to proceed first in a given situation. However, the law never gives anyone the absolute right-of-way; it only states who must yield. A safe driver is always prepared to yield to prevent a crash, regardless of who is technically correct.

• Uncontrolled Intersections: At an intersection with no signs or signals, the vehicle on the left must yield the right-of-way to the vehicle on the right if they arrive at approximately the same time. At a T-intersection, the driver on the street that ends must yield to all vehicles on the through street.
• All-Way Stops: At an intersection with stop signs in all directions, the first vehicle to arrive and come to a complete stop is the first to proceed. If two or more vehicles stop at the same time, the driver on the left must yield to the driver on their immediate right.
• Driveways and Private Roads: A driver entering or crossing a roadway 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 freeway, the driver entering the roadway must yield to the traffic already on it. The merging driver is responsible for finding a safe gap and adjusting their speed to match the flow of traffic.
• Pedestrians: Drivers must yield to pedestrians in any marked or unmarked crosswalk at an intersection. Extra caution is required for pedestrians who are blind and using a white cane or guide dog; drivers must stop to allow them to cross.
• Emergency Vehicles: When an emergency vehicle (police, fire, ambulance) approaches using its siren or flashing lights, 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. For stationary emergency vehicles with lights flashing, drivers must move over to a non-adjacent lane if possible; if not, they must slow down and proceed with caution.

Common Mistake:
Forgetting that an “unmarked crosswalk” exists at every intersection. Drivers must yield to pedestrians crossing at any intersection, even if there are no painted lines on the pavement.