Chapter 6: Navigating the Roads

Successfully navigating Oregon’s roads requires more than just knowing how to operate a vehicle; it demands a deep understanding of the rules that govern traffic flow, such as right-of-way, turning, and passing. These rules are the foundation of a safe and orderly traffic system, designed to prevent conflicts and collisions at intersections and on open roadways. Mastering these concepts is essential for the DMV knowledge test and for developing the defensive driving habits that protect you and others.

Navigating the roads involves the constant application of traffic laws to interact safely with other vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists. This includes knowing when to yield the right-of-way, how to execute turns and other maneuvers correctly, and understanding when it is safe and legal to pass another vehicle. These rules are not suggestions; they are legal requirements that all drivers must follow.

Right-of-Way

The concept of right-of-way determines who has the legal right to proceed in a given traffic situation. However, the law never grants a driver the right-of-way; it only requires a driver to yield it. A safe driver is always prepared to yield to prevent a collision, regardless of the rules.

• Uncontrolled Intersections: At an intersection with no signs or signals (a blind or uncontrolled intersection), the driver on the left must yield to the driver on the right. If you arrive at the same time as another vehicle, the vehicle on your right has the right-of-way. You must also yield to any vehicle already in the intersection.
• 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 the right.
• Driveways, Alleys, and Private Roads: When entering a road from a driveway, alley, or private road, a driver must stop and yield the right-of-way to all approaching traffic and pedestrians on the main road.
• Merging: When merging onto a freeway or highway, the driver entering the roadway must yield to traffic already on it. You must use the on-ramp to accelerate to the speed of traffic and find a safe gap to merge into.
• Pedestrians: Drivers must stop and remain stopped for a pedestrian crossing in a marked or unmarked crosswalk when the pedestrian is in the driver’s lane or the lane next to it. This includes bike lanes.
• Emergency Vehicles: When an emergency vehicle (police, fire, ambulance) approaches from any direction using a siren or flashing lights, all drivers must immediately pull over to the right side of the road, clear of any intersection, and stop. Remain stopped until the emergency vehicle has passed.

Common Mistake:
Assuming you have the right-of-way at a “T” intersection when you are on the through road. While the driver on the terminating road must yield, a defensive driver is always prepared for them to make a mistake and pulls into their path.