Who Has the Right of Way?
| September 25th, 2017
The Federal Highway Administration found that more than 50 percent of fatal or injury-causing auto accidents occur at or near intersections in the U.S. Whether you’re driving in a rural, suburban, or urban area, you’ll likely pass through many intersections on the way to your destination. Because intersections pose such a high risk for drivers, it’s vital to know the right of way rules for when you encounter other vehicles, motorcyclists, bicyclists, or pedestrians. Some common rules that all drivers should keep in mind include:- Drivers at four-way stops get right of way in the order they arrived. Some drivers are confused by who has the right of way at four-way stops. The order is determined by who arrived at the stop sign first or who was next in line first. If you’re unsure, yield to the vehicle on your right.
- Flashing yellow lights indicate right of way but to proceed with caution. Some traffic lights will flash yellow or red late at night or if they’ve been damaged. If you’re approaching an intersection with flashing yellow lights, you have the right of way, but you should proceed cautiously. If you have flashing red lights, come to a complete stop.
- Crossing guards determine right of way in school zones. If you’re driving through a school zone, pay close attention to the crossing guard. He or she determines who gets right of way, regardless of stop signs or traffic signals.
