If you have a stop sign, but the street you’re crossing does not have a stop sign, wait until all traffic has cleared before crossing the intersection. [1] X Research source Before you proceed, be sure all vehicles, bicycles, and pedestrians have cleared your path, even if it’s your turn to go. Treat a blinking red light as a stop sign. A blinking yellow light means slow down and proceed with caution.
Double check your local traffic laws. In some locations, right turns on red are never permitted. Note that, in the UK, left hand turns at a red light (the equivalent to right turns in the US) are not permitted. [2] X Research source
In most areas, a pedestrian shouldn’t cross an intersection controlled by a traffic light until they have a green light or a walk sign. However, you still need to stop for a crossing pedestrian if you have a green light and are subsequently turning onto the adjacent road. [3] X Research source
As a rule of thumb, stop at a yield sign if entering the road would cause an approaching motorist to brake.
While you should treat bicyclists as motor vehicles, use caution when driving around them. Give bicyclists as much room as possible, and slow down when you pass one.
Remember to always come to a complete stop at a stop sign or blinking red light.
In countries where motorists drive on the right side of the road, the driver on the right has priority at intersections. The driver on the right also has priority at intersections in Australia and Singapore, even though motorists drive on the left side of the road in these countries. [6] X Trustworthy Source Official UK government website Official website for the public sector of the UK government Go to source There is no left or right priority in the UK. Instead, yield to drivers stopped at a dotted white line if you’re stopped at a solid white line. [7] X Research source
If you’re at a traffic light and have a green turn arrow, oncoming traffic has a red light and you may turn left. Just make sure oncoming vehicles have actually stopped and check for pedestrians crossing the street. If motorists drive on the left side of the road in your nation, yield to oncoming traffic before turning right. [9] X Trustworthy Source Official UK government website Official website for the public sector of the UK government Go to source
Stop for oncoming traffic when turning onto a through road even if there is no stop sign.
When you merge from an on-ramp to a highway travel lane, don’t come to a stop when you yield. Slow down enough so the vehicle in the travel lane can pass, then merge behind them.
If an emergency vehicle is stopped on a 4-lane highway, move over at least 1 lane (to the left or right, depending on which side of the road they’re located) before you pass by them. Pull over to the left side of the road if motorists drive on the left in your country. [14] X Research source
If you’re traveling on a narrow bridge or a narrow road on level ground, look for signs that indicate which direction has the right of way. [16] X Trustworthy Source Official UK government website Official website for the public sector of the UK government Go to source
In many locations, a crosswalk is considered a natural continuation of a sidewalk. If you can draw an imaginary line across an intersection to connect 2 sidewalks, treat that line as a crosswalk, even if the road isn’t marked.
