When driving, many of us feel confident about handling various road situations. But even experienced drivers can be surprised by the right-of-way rules. Let’s dive into a few common scenarios to see which vehicle has priority.
Scenario 1: The Intersection Dilemma
Imagine a red car and a green bus approaching an intersection. The bus intends to turn right, while the car plans to go straight. Which vehicle should go first? The answer might surprise you! At this intersection, the bus has priority. Look for the white sign near the traffic light indicating that buses have right of way when turning. So, in this case, the bus moves first.
Donât worry if you didn’t get it rightâunderstanding these rules takes practice. Each mistake is a learning opportunity that helps you become a better driver.
Scenario 2: T-Intersection Rules
Consider a T-intersection with a red car wanting to turn right, a yellow car approaching from the left also turning right, and a blue car coming from the right going straight. Who has the right of way? The blue car going straight has the priority because itâs on the through road. The yellow car turning right would follow the blue car, while the red car must yield to both.
At T-intersections, the vehicle on the main road (going straight) usually has the right of way. Vehicles turning right generally need to yield to those already moving straight through the intersection.
Scenario 3: Four-Way Intersection Challenge
Picture a four-way intersection with a red car wanting to turn right, a motorcycle going straight, a green truck also going straight, and a white bus planning to go straight. Who has priority here? Typically, the motorcycle has the right of way, followed by the green truck and the white bus, which are on the through road. The red car, turning right, must yield to the oncoming traffic.
Understanding the right-of-way rules at four-way intersections can be tricky. Generally, the vehicle going straight has priority over those turning.
Scenario 4: The T-Intersection with Road Signs
At a T-intersection, a red car is going straight while a blue car wants to turn left. Two road signs are presentâeach indicating different rules. To resolve this, identify and understand what each sign means. Traffic signs are categorized into four types:
- Regulatory Signs: These enforce laws, such as stop signs and speed limits.
- Warning Signs: These alert you to potential hazards, like curves or pedestrian crossings.
- Guide Signs: These provide directions and navigation help, such as exit signs.
- Informational Signs: These offer non-essential information, such as rest area locations.
Recognizing and understanding these signs will help you navigate complex traffic situations more confidently.