A Federal Highway Administration study of 40,000 drivers at intersections controlled by stop signs revealed that two-thirds of drivers failed to stop. So, instead of assuming that other drivers will automatically yield right of way, you should pay careful attention to their intentions and actions.
Since they frequently require personal judgment, right-of-way laws are sometimes difficult to understand or apply. The following principles can help.
The right of way is always given; it is not something a highway user should take for granted.
The purpose of right-of-way laws is to prevent conflicts resulting from one driver failing to yield and give right of way to another.
A driver has not yielded right of way if he or she forces other highway users to slow or wait.
When two or more drivers approach a situation where someone is supposed to yield right of way, all drivers should be prepared to yield.
All drivers are required to exercise due care to avoid a collision, and whoever has the last clear chance to avoid a collision has an obligation to do so.
Examples below are of common right-of-way situations and how to negotiate them safely.
A driver entering a road from a parked position, parking lot, shopping area, alley or private drive should yield to motor vehicles approaching on the road to be entered and to pedestrians on the sidewalk.
In the example to the left, the grey car yields to the blue car.
Entering a Roadway from Driveways, Alleys and Parked Position
A driver entering a road from a parked position, parking lot, shopping area, alley or private drive should yield to motor vehicles approaching on the road to be entered and to pedestrians on the sidewalk.
In the example to the left, the orange car yields to the blue car.
Entering a Roadway from Driveways, Alleys and Parked Position
A driver entering a road from a parked position, parking lot, shopping area, alley or private drive should yield to motor vehicles approaching on the road to be entered and to pedestrians on the sidewalk.
In the example to the left, the red car yields to the blue car and the grey car.
Entering a Roadway from Driveways, Alleys and Parked Position
I am intimidated when merging onto freeways. What is the right process? Read the Answer »
I am intimidated when merging onto freeways. What is the right process?
While yielding the right-of-way to vehicles already on the freeway, you should accelerate to the speed that other vehicles are traveling before merging into the stream of traffic. If you are not traveling fast enough when you begin to merge, you could cause a risky situation.
If the traffic light in front of me turns green, can I pass through a funeral procession? Read the Answer »
If the traffic light in front of me turns green, can I pass through a funeral procession?
No, do not drive between moving vehicles that are part of a funeral procession.