Right-of-Way and Intersections

The most important thing to remember about the right-of-way is that it should be given, but never taken. If another driver is not following the rules, let them have the right-of-way, even if it is rightfully yours.   If you insist on taking the right-of-way, you are gambling with your life, as well as that of your passengers, other drivers, and pedestrians.

Drivers are required to yield to other drivers in order to avoid accidents. At any intersection where there is a stop sign, you may proceed only after yielding the right of way to any other vehicle at the crossroad that does not have a stop sign.  At intersections where there are no stop signs, yield signs, or traffic signals, the driver of the vehicle on the right has the right of way whenever vehicles approach the intersection from different roadways at the same time.

"The first one to stop should be the first one to go."  Although this may seem obvious, proceed only when it is safe to do so.  If proceeding into the intersection seems likely to cause an accident, then you should always yield and allow others to go.  If the driver on your left illegally fails to yield, you are still required to yield in the interest of safety.

Don’t be dead right -- be ready to yield to avoid an accident regardless of the law.  Safety should always be your first concern. 

There are three things you need to remember:

	Do not delay traffic behind you - take your turn when it comes.
	If another driver tries to take your turn, let him/her proceed; it might prevent an accident.
	Courtesy and common sense should always govern your actions.

Using Common Sense to Avoid Accidents

Following are examples of situations where allowing common sense and courtesy to govern your actions could prevent a collision:

	When turning left from an intersection, alley or driveway, first yield the right-of-way to all traffic coming from the opposite direction, proceeding only when a safe interval occurs.
	When you approach a yield sign, slow down to a speed that is slow enough for you to evaluate the conditions for merging.  If it is necessary to stop in order to be safe, follow the procedure outlined above for intersections.
	When you approach a merge sign, adjust your speed and position to avoid a collision with another vehicle.
	After getting the green light at intersections, do not proceed until all cross traffic has cleared the intersection safely.
	If you are about to enter or cross a highway from an alley, private road, or highway, you must yield the right-of-way to all other vehicles on the street or highway you are about to enter.

In many cases, "No Right on Red" signs are small and hard to see. Make sure you come to a complete stop, check for signs, and be certain it is safe before you turn.

Local jurisdictions are now permitted to use red light cameras whenever they like, so long as the use of a camera at that intersection is clearly posted. For the first 30 days after installing a red light camera, the police are required to issue written warnings to violators, rather than citations.

Simultaneous Turns

Whether you are making a left turn at the same time as someone coming in the opposite direction or are turning simultaneously with someone going in your direction, your turning pattern is difficult for others to predict and your drifting could easily cause an accident.

Emergency vehicles, including police cars, ambulances, fire engines, and any other emergency vehicle using sirens and/or lights, always have the right-of-way.  Upon identifying such a vehicle, you must pull over to the right shoulder and STOP as quickly as it is safe to do so without blocking any intersection.  You must then remain stopped until the emergency vehicle has safely passed.

Always comply with any order from police, fire fighters, traffic officers, or other officials at the scene of an emergency. You must obey any traffic direction, order, or signal given by any of these officials, even if it conflicts with existing signs, signals, or laws.