Signs
Road signs will help a person driving a vehicle understand which intersection of roadways is in front of him and what the right thing to do is. So, at an unregulated intersection the following signs are set: “Give way”, “Main road”, “Motorway”, “End of the highway”, “Intersection with a secondary road”, “Junction of a secondary road” and others.
You can drive correctly and without traffic accidents only if you know how to read the signs.
Driving through unregulated intersections: rules
Before you start driving at an uncontrolled intersection, be sure to study all the installed signs. And then, taking them into account, begin to move, taking into account the rules. An unregulated intersection will not cause you any difficulties if you know how to read signs and remember traffic rules.
Trackless vehicles have no advantage over a tram, regardless of the direction of movement and the status of the roadway on which they are located. Therefore, cars always let them pass, and only after that they begin to move according to the established road signs.
Before the road intersection there is a sign “Main Road”
As has been mentioned many times, traffic at uncontrolled intersections depends on the signs installed. Therefore, in order to correctly drive through an uncontrolled intersection of roads, you should know who you need to let through and where you have the advantage. There are several options for driving through an uncontrolled intersection.
It all depends on how the main road is located and your location relative to it.
1. If the vehicle is located on the main road and it continues straight, then the algorithm for moving your car is as follows:
- If you want to drive in the straight direction, you must not give way to anyone.
- If you plan to turn right, you also have the right of way. Accordingly, you pass the intersection first.
- Turn left - first of all, you let oncoming cars pass, which, like you, are on the main road. Namely, you must approach the middle of the intersection, wait until they pass, and only then continue moving. If oncoming vehicles turn left, you simultaneously pass on the right sides of the cars.
- If you are going to turn around, then the sequence of actions is the same as when turning left.
2. The main road turns right. Your actions:
- When moving straight, you remember about the obstacle on the right. If there is a car there, then let it pass, and then begin to pass the intersection.
- Turning right is the only direction in which you have the right of way. Therefore, you can safely fold without giving in to anyone.
- When turning left, you allow cars on the right to pass either straight ahead or to the left. If your obstacle on the right plans to turn right, then you are allowed to move at the same time, since in this situation you are not impeding its movement.
- U-turn. In this situation, the same rules apply as when turning left.
3. The main road turns left. Your actions:
- If you want to go straight, you have priority, so you pass first.
- When turning right, you have an advantage, so, without yielding to anyone, you perform the maneuver.
- Turning left follows the same algorithm as turning right.
- When turning, you must yield to vehicles moving on the left, according to traffic rules. They, like you, pass through an uncontrolled intersection on the main road, and the advantage over them is formed due to the fact that they are an obstacle for you on the right.
General rules
According to the traffic rules, driving through uncontrolled intersections without a traffic light, but with a traffic controller, should only be carried out according to his commands - they have the highest priority. In this case, the person with the rod has the right to cancel the effect of signs and markings. The second priority is signs, the third is road markings. You cannot enter an intersection with a traffic jam until the path is clear. And pedestrians, just like cyclists, must yield in all cases.
The order of passage is determined by priority signs, but all vehicles are required to stop before the stop line. Moreover, it does not matter whether the car is moving along the main path or a secondary one. This rule was introduced so that each traffic participant can first make sure that there is no obstacle, since priority cars have already passed along their trajectories.
There is a “Give Way” sign before the road intersection.
According to the traffic rules, if there is a “Give Way” sign on your road, you first give way to cars moving on the main road, and then to those who are an obstacle to you on the right.
Stop at the road intersection:
- There is a “Give Way” sign in front of you. If you want to turn right, you let your obstacle pass on the right (even if it is making a U-turn), and you also let the car pass on the left due to the fact that it is heading along the main road. However, if he turns right, you are allowed to start moving at the same time as him. When driving straight ahead, cars on the right and left have an advantage in front of you, so you give way to them. When you turn left, you let everyone pass. The same is true when making a turn.
- The main road is on your right. When turning right, oncoming vehicles have priority. Also a trackless vehicle on the right in case of a U-turn. You also skip them if you plan to continue straight and turn left. Before turning, you will have to yield to all cars from three directions.
- The main road is to the left of your vehicle. Before turning right, you must yield to oncoming cars and those on the left, because they are on the main road and, accordingly, have the right of way. By letting cars pass on the main roadway (on the left, from the oncoming direction) and on the right (obstruction on the right), you have the opportunity to cross the unregulated intersection in a straight direction. You also do not have the right of way when turning left.
- It is better not to make a U-turn at such an intersection, but if there is no other option, then the maneuver is allowed to begin only by allowing vehicles from three directions to pass.
U-turn outside the intersection
Sometimes, the driver needs to make a U-turn as quickly as possible, and does not have time to get to the nearest intersection. In this case, you can make a reversal outside of it.
In this case, it is also worth relying on several rules:
- Driving can be done from absolutely any part of the road, but it is preferable to choose the leftmost lane;
- Next, you should focus on oncoming and passing traffic, you need to let all moving traffic pass;
- If no interference is detected, then you can proceed with this maneuver. You must turn on the appropriate turn signal and enter the required lane. Then, all that remains is to align the wheels and continue moving.
It is worth noting that making a U-turn outside an intersection is much easier, safer and more convenient if there is adjacent territory nearby. It allows you to assess the situation much better. If possible, you should get to this site.
Driving on unregulated equivalent roads
In a situation where you have to drive through the intersection of equivalent roads, the main rule that you must follow is the obstacle on the right.
Who to skip depends on where you're going. You are planning:
- Turn right. In this situation, you should not give in to anyone, since the advantage is yours, and accordingly, your car passes first.
- Go straight. If there is a vehicle on your right, then you let it pass and then pass yourself. Sometimes it turns out that cars from four directions at the same time plan to cross an uncontrolled intersection of equivalent roads straight. Traffic regulations do not regulate this situation, so drivers must determine among themselves which of them will start moving first.
- Turn left. In these circumstances, an obstacle on your right is an oncoming car on the right side. Based on this, you start moving only after them.
- Make a U-turn. To start this maneuver, you must let the vehicle pass from three directions, and only after that start moving.
What is a T-junction
With unequal roads, the situation is much simpler - you just need to decide which road each of the traffic participants is on.
The presence of signs, a traffic controller, or soil on one of them is a hint. But intersections of equivalent roads have different configurations. In addition to the usual ones, intersecting at right angles and forming a “+”, there are:
- Y-shaped,
- T-shaped,
- X-shaped (they differ from four-sided ones by a small angle, noticeable if you drive straight along them),
- multi-sided with circular motion.
A T-shaped intersection, unregulated by traffic lights and signs, occurs at the end of one road, which seems to “merge” into another. So, from the “base of the T” there is no way to drive straight: you can turn left, right, or turn back.
The same applies to those cars that come from the “head” of the letter “T”: they can drive straight or turn right. Driving through such intersections is a little easier, but also has its own characteristics. There are provisions for the passage of this section of rail vehicles, “obstruction on the right” and others.
Pedestrian and unregulated intersection
Since there is no regulation at the intersection, in situations where a person is blocking the intersection, one must be very careful. After all, in the event of an accident, he will be given a maximum fine, but for you, as a driver, this situation can result in deprivation of your license and even a prison sentence.
A pedestrian at an uncontrolled intersection, moving along a zebra crossing, has an advantage over any vehicle. If a person decides to cross a roadway that does not have a pedestrian crossing, you are not obliged to let him through. But, as practice shows, it is faster and easier to yield to a careless pedestrian.
Tips for beginners
Summarizing the rules that control the passage of uncontrolled intersections, we can highlight three main points that need to be followed:
- Obstacle on the right at the intersection of equivalent roads. It is imperative to keep an eye out for vehicles on your right.
- When the “Give Way” sign is installed, the driver initially pays attention to the one driving on the main road, then to those driving on the right.
- If there is a “Main Road” sign on the road you are traveling on, then you are carefully watching for those who are also heading along the main road and to your right.
What does every driver face every day, regardless of the type of car, driving experience, etc.? With intersections. And if driving through controlled intersections is not a big problem for anyone, then in other situations there may be confusion, confusion, and, as a result, a dangerous situation on the road. You can avoid this - you just need to refresh your memory of the rules for driving through intersections. This article was created for this purpose - to give new knowledge to beginners or help experienced drivers remember them.
According to the new changes, from November 8, 2021, there will be “Waffle” (“Waffle Iron”) markings at intersections, which will determine the boundaries of the intersection. It is designed to regulate the passage of intersections where congestion occurs and will help implement and comply with traffic rules, as well as levy fines for violators. The fine for entering an intersection or crossing roadways with a traffic jam is 1,000 rubles.
How to perform a U-turn correctly?
Every experienced driver knows how important it is to be able to make a U-turn correctly, especially on busy roads. According to statistics, most accidents occur only due to violations of the rules during this maneuver.
It can be accomplished in three main steps:
- The first thing to do is choose a place to turn around. As mentioned earlier, in this case, you need to pay attention to the width of the route. If the driver feels that there is not enough space, then he should take a position in the far right lane. First, you should turn on the appropriate turn signal. This light signal will inform other road users of your intention.
- After a few seconds, you can reduce the speed as much as possible or stop altogether.
- Next, you should look in the rearview mirror and make sure that there are no obstacles on the road that could become an obstacle to continuing to move; only in this case can you make a U-turn.
If the maneuver is completed successfully, then you can align the wheels and continue moving in the opposite direction.
Types of intersections
All existing intersections are divided into:
- Controlled intersection – equipped with traffic lights (including those with additional sections). This type also includes intersections where traffic is controlled by a traffic controller.
- An intersection of equivalent roads without regulation - accordingly, vehicle movement here is not controlled by a traffic light and a traffic controller.
- An intersection of unequal roads without regulation - similar to the one above, but the roads are divided into main and secondary, they are both marked with appropriate signs .
According to their “design” they can be divided into the following types:
- T-junction - one road adjoins the left or right of another. Such intersections do not include exits from the adjacent territory of a residential building, industrial enterprise or other facility. Rules for driving through a T-shaped intersection depend on the type of intersection: controlled or unregulated.
- A cross-shaped intersection is the most common type, when one road intersects another, and at the same level.
- A roundabout , where several roads connect to a common "ring". When entering it, the car reduces speed and moves counterclockwise and makes an exit on the road it needs.
- Multiway intersections are intersections that do not belong to the previous types. Typically connect a large number of roads and are high traffic areas where great care should be taken.
What is the difference between an intersection and the surrounding area?
An important point is the difference between the concept of an intersection and an exit from the adjacent territory. Not many people encounter the problem of their definition, but it still exists. The difference lies in the following points:
- When entering the adjacent territory, other traffic rules begin to apply.
- All roads in relation to exits are main and give the right to priority passage.
- The exit does not have to be marked, but today such intersections still have priority signs.
Leaving the adjacent territory is often associated with gas stations, shops, and parking lots, but in practice it is not necessary to use this method of determining the order of passage through road intersections.
In conclusion, we note that markings can also help with determining the order of passage through an intersection. For secondary roads, triangles are drawn on the border; the exit from the adjacent territory is indicated by a broken line.
Therefore, in most cases, the priority of travel can be determined almost immediately due to the presence of appropriate priority signs and the necessary markings.
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General rules for driving through intersections according to traffic rules
- Always give way to pedestrians and cyclists crossing the road you intend to turn onto . This rule applies whether the intersection is regulated or not. Fines for not allowing a pedestrian to pass are currently 1,500 rubles.
- It is prohibited to enter an intersection if there is a traffic jam in front of it . Violating this rule will result in you not only joining the traffic jam, but also blocking the path of cars moving through the intersection on the left or right. As a result, instead of one traffic jam, there are three, and the risk of an accident or conflict on the road increases sharply.
Rules for driving through unregulated intersections
Let's consider the basic rules of travel and possible situations for unregulated intersections of all types.
Equivalent intersection and driving rules
The rules for driving through intersections of equivalent roads are governed by the “interference on the right” rule - the driver must always give way to vehicles approaching from the right side of the roadway. This also applies to those cars that will become an “obstacle on the right” when the driver makes a maneuver.
Consider the situation: you are crossing an equivalent cross-shaped intersection straight ahead, without turning. There are two cars on the transverse road - one on the left (let's call it A), one on the right (it will be designated B), both plan to continue moving straight. According to the “interference on the right” rule, you give way to car B since it is on your right. In turn, vehicle A must give way to you in the same way.
The following situation: you are also crossing the intersection straight, and another car moving in the oncoming lane on the opposite side of the intersection intends to turn to your right (left for it). When starting her maneuver, she is obliged to slow down and let you pass, since your car will be an “interference on the right” for her when making a turn. The same rule works for reversals.
Rules for driving roundabouts
From November 8, 2021, new rules for driving around the roundabout come into force; according to the changes, drivers on the roundabout have priority when passing, and entering vehicles must give way.
At roundabouts, if all of its roads are of equal importance (there is no sign to give way) , then vehicles already on the roundabout must give way to those who are just about to enter, since they are still the same “obstacle on the right.”
When sign 2.4 “Give way” is installed in front of the roundabout , all vehicles entering the roundabout road are required to give way to all vehicles moving around the roundabout.
Also, in front of the roundabout, an information sign can be installed indicating the secondary and main roads when driving along the ring, but sign 4.3 “Roundabout” and sign 2.4 “Give way” must be installed, depending on the situation.
Driving through equivalent intersections with tram tracks
Rule 13.11 states that trams have full advantage over other trackless vehicles, regardless of the direction of movement. Here, the car owner does not receive any benefits from the "interference on the right" scheme. In this case, trams are equal in front of each other and when crossing an intersection at the same time they must be guided by the same rules as ordinary cars.
Driving through intersections of unequal roads
There is a main road, and vehicles entering the intersection from it are given priority, regardless of the direction of travel.
The main road does not always have a straight direction; sometimes it makes a turn at an intersection. In such cases, drivers entering the intersection from the main road are equal to each other and, when determining the queue of passage, must be guided by the principle of “interference on the right.”
Cars driving on a secondary road maneuver using the same principle, but taking into account the need to first give way to those driving on the main road.
The main road changes direction
The next type of sign is when the main road turns at an intersection.
Example 5. Entry via secondary route
- Red. The white car approaches on a secondary road, and the red one is on the main road. White gives way.
- Orange. White is already driving around the ring, i.e. located on the main one. Orange is on the secondary side. White has priority.
- Blue. Both cars are on the main road, however the blue one is on the right. White concedes.
- Green. Same as for blue. White must concede.
Rules for driving at controlled intersections
The rules for driving through intersections with traffic lights are regulated by the traffic lights (which are the main ones) and the signals of additional sections.
Vehicles moving on the main green traffic light must determine priority among themselves in accordance with the “interference on the right” rule. Let's say you're turning left at a crossroads, and an oncoming car is moving straight ahead. When the green light turns on, you must enter the intersection, starting the maneuver, and let the oncoming car pass, and only then complete the turn.
If the red or yellow signals and the additional section of the traffic light are on at the same time, first let through all vehicles for which the main green signal is on, and only then move in the direction indicated by the signal of the additional section.
Video lesson: driving through intersections according to the rules.
An intersection is a point where two or more roads join together. Intersections are a particularly dangerous part of the road due to the fact that vehicle paths can intersect, which will automatically lead to an accident. According to statistics, accidents at intersections, uncontrolled intersections and highway exits are the second most common type of traffic accidents that occur immediately after hitting a stationary object. There are many different types of intersections, which are classified by the number of paths connecting at the intersection and their location. A regular 4-way intersection is the most common type. There are also more complex ones, such as Y-shaped and roundabouts. Access may be controlled by traffic lights, road signs, or "pass-through" rules.
Offset intersections
The main sign of displaced intersections is the center shifted to the side. There may also be bends in the roads, which also complicates the passage of these areas. In general, driving through such areas is quite unpleasant: due to the complex configuration of the area, drivers are not always able to orient themselves in time to the correct trajectory of their movement. Accordingly, driving through unregulated intersections of equal or unequal roads is associated with a risk for both transport on the main and secondary roads. For example, you can unexpectedly drive into the oncoming lane or collide with a car that is “lost” in a sharp bend in the roadway...
Based on such difficulties, such areas are usually equipped with traffic lights, which reduces the likelihood of traffic violations. However, when there is no such “regulator”, drivers have to rely only on road signs and drive with extreme caution.
Uncontrolled intersections
Uncontrolled intersections are typically used in locations where low traffic volumes do not warrant the installation of additional traffic control devices or where such traffic control devices may operate ineffectively and cause driver confusion. When passing through such a section, you must follow the rules for driving through uncontrolled intersections and exercise caution. The two most recognizable types of uncontrolled intersections are highway interchanges and roundabouts.
Transport interchange
An interchange is the intersection of two highways at different levels with connecting paths that transfer traffic from one highway to another. The main advantage of an interchange over a conventional controlled intersection is that traffic can enter or exit any highway without stopping or interfering with other vehicles already traveling on the highway. This reduces traffic jams and allows more vehicles to pass through the intersection.
Ring
A roundabout is another type of uncontrolled intersection where traffic occurs around an “island” in the middle. Vehicles located near the roundabout must yield to traffic that is already at the roundabout. Always pay attention to pedestrians and cyclists. Some roundabouts are controlled by priority signs and additional pavement markings, but this does not change the rules.
Road signs
Road signs can be installed directly at the intersection or on the approaches to it. Warning signs are usually installed on approaches, while mandatory signs are installed directly on it. Warning signs such as "Intersection", "Side Road", "T-Intersection", "Y-Intersection" or "Roundabout" indicate when there is an intersection ahead and provide information on how to stripes connect to each other. Other warning signs, such as Road Narrowing, are posted before junctions and alert you to merging traffic so you can change lanes early and exercise extra caution. Priority signs such as “Give way”, “Stop”, and various lane control signs are installed immediately before the intersection. Priority signs at unsignalized intersections on unequal roads advise you on the direction of travel and turn restrictions. Lane control signs are usually placed directly above traffic lanes.
Right of way at intersections
At uncontrolled intersections, the driver must yield to all vehicles that have already entered it. If two vehicles arrive at the intersection at the same time, the driver on the left must yield to the driver on the right. If you are not making a protected left turn under a traffic light with a green arrow, you must yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians crossing an uncontrolled intersection on the main road. If there is a priority sign before the intersection, you must slow down and yield to all vehicles that are on the protected route. When a stop sign is posted at an intersection, you must stop completely and allow all vehicles to pass. At an intersection where there are stop signs everywhere, the vehicle that exits first has the right of way and enters first. If two vehicles arrive at the intersection at the same time, the driver on the left must yield to the driver on the right. When you enter a street from an alley, driveway, or when you are at a T-intersection, you must yield to all oncoming vehicles and pedestrians crossing the intersection on the main road.
You must yield to all service vehicles (firefighters, police, ambulances) when they display flashing red or blue lights and sound their sirens, even at similar uncontrolled intersections. You must pull over and stop. Do not pass until the emergency vehicle has passed. If you have already started moving, leave the intersection before stopping. An unregulated intersection is one of the most common types. This is a road intersection where there are no traffic lights or road signs indicating the direction. This type is very common in rural and residential areas. As a rule, the passing lane is determined by the order of arrival and the relative position of the vehicles. While you don't need to come to a complete stop in most cases, you should slow down and watch for cross traffic before passing or passing at an uncontrolled intersection. Entering from the right does not automatically give you the right of way and does not exempt you from slowing down before entering the intersection.
Right of way at unregulated intersections
If there are no road signs or traffic signs to help you identify lanes, use caution and use these simple rules to determine who has the right of way at a unequal road intersection.
- The vehicle that arrives first has the right of way.
- If two vehicles arrive at approximately the same time, the driver of the vehicle on the left must yield to the driver of the vehicle on the right.
- When making a left turn, yield to all oncoming traffic.
How to behave at an uncontrolled intersection:
- Slow down when approaching an intersection, even if there is no other vehicle in sight.
- If the car has already entered, let it pass safely.
- Look in both directions to make sure there are no other vehicles approaching at high speed.
- If another vehicle arrives at the same time as you and the vehicle is on your right, give way.
Remember that the right of way does not have to be used all the time, and you can waive it to avoid a potentially dangerous situation.
Priority and unregulated intersection
We all know about the priorities of traffic rules at the intersection of unequal roads. This is a right-of-way system in which the vehicle driver must give way to vehicles approaching the intersection. A vehicle turning left must give way to the opposite incoming vehicle. But how should this rule be applied in practice? The rule applies to all intersections where it is not blocked by priority signs, traffic lights or traffic controller signals, including adjacent roads and the roundabout. It does not matter where the intersection is located (in a populated area or outside it) and regardless of its type (T-shaped, ring or other).
IMPORTANT! If there is an uncontrolled intersection at a railway crossing, the tram or train always has priority, regardless of its location and direction of travel!
Trajectory of crossing the intersection of unequal roads:
- Left turns always start from the leftmost lane, and if the lanes signal direction, the left turn lane must be used.
- When turning left to access a dual carriageway, the shortest route possible must be used.
- A right turn always starts from the rightmost lane in the direction of travel, and if there are instructions about the direction of travel, you must use the right turn lane.
- When turning right to enter a dual carriageway, you must use the shortest path possible.
How to turn around if there are tram tracks?
Tram rails are a kind of dividing strip, and depending on their prominence (elevation above the road) and the characteristics of the road markings, the correct turning trajectory will be different. The main thing is not to get into the oncoming lane. Of course, the maneuver can be performed only if it is not prohibited by traffic rules.
You need to turn around immediately as soon as the car enters the intersection. But only in the case when the rails are not allocated structurally. If they are raised above the road at the intersection, then the turn should be made BEHIND THE CENTER of the intersection. The same rule applies here as for a similar maneuver at an intersection without tram tracks, but with a dividing strip. In general, if the driver is not sure of the correctness of the chosen trajectory, then you should always turn around after crossing the center of the intersection.
Crossroads and turns
Approximately half of road accidents occur at intersections. It is important that you approach the intersection at a speed that allows you to give way to any vehicles.
- The main rule of the road is to keep to the left.
- As a general rule, if you are turning into the path of another vehicle, you must yield the right of way.
- When turning at an intersection of equal roads, you must give way to oncoming cars that are going straight, turning left, and any vehicle on your right.
- If you and an oncoming car are turning right, both cars must pass in front of each other.
- If other drivers do not yield to you, do not create a dangerous situation for them or yourself.
- You must also give way to any pedestrians.
- At T-junctions on equivalent roads, a vehicle traveling on an ending road must yield the right-of-way to all pedestrians crossing the road or vehicles traveling on a continuing road, unless otherwise indicated.
You must indicate what you plan to do so that other drivers know it. Make sure your indicator is off after every turn or lane change. If your turn signals do not work, are difficult to see, or your vehicle does not have indicator lights, you should signal with your hand when making a right turn or stopping. Plan your turns in advance so that you are on the correct section of road and have enough time to indicate where you want to turn. A left turn must be made from the left side of the road. When turning left:
- Indicate left turn.
- Keep to the left of the road you enter.
- When driving on a multi-lane road, you must turn left from the left lane or from the lane with an arrow on the pavement pointing left.
- When turning left or right, you must give way to any pedestrians crossing the road you are turning onto.
When turning right:
- Indicate right turn.
- When driving on a multi-lane road, turn right from the right lane or the lane with an arrow pointing to the right. Turn right when it is safe to do so.
- Give way to pedestrians.
- Follow the instructions of any road markings that indicate how a turn should be made. If there are no road markings, you must turn right, going as close as possible to the center of the intersection of equivalent roads.
When making a right turn on a divided road with a median lane, you must:
- Wait for a suitable gap in oncoming traffic.
- Drive as far as possible to the center median and do not stop until it is safe.
- Before making a U-turn at an uncontrolled intersection, make sure you obey all yield and stop signs and traffic lights.
- Before driving from the shoulder or in a median parking area, you should signal for at least five seconds, checking your mirrors and blind spots.
Where is it allowed to turn around?
According to traffic rules, it is allowed to make a U-turn on the highway only in two cases:
- When driving at an intersection. At the same time, the driver is allowed to perform this maneuver only from the middle lane (that is, he must occupy the extreme left position on the road). You should not do this if two roads with two lanes intersect in this area. In this case, under any circumstances, the rules will be strictly violated.
- You can also make a U-turn outside the intersection, and this can be done both from the central and their extreme right positions. However, in this case, you will definitely need to give way to oncoming traffic. It is imperative to take into account the width of the band.
In both cases, the driver must communicate his intention to other road users using a light signal.
Safe passage of intersections
Knowing the laws and taking precautions while driving are important and helpful steps to avoid a collision. We would like to offer some tips for driving safely at an unsignalized intersection:
- Be patient – impatience increases emotions and decreases attention.
- Think about what other drivers might do as you approach an intersection, especially when you change your path.
- Avoid all distractions.
- Always wear a seat belt and insist that everyone in your car does the same.
- An unbelted passenger will become a weapon that threatens the safety of other passengers in a collision.
- Don't speed – a driver going too fast when approaching may not be able to come to a complete stop when necessary.
- Where traffic lights are not operational, 4-way stop rules apply.
- At an intersection that is regulated by a stop sign on only one of the lanes, unregulated traffic has the right of way.
- The vehicle that reaches the intersection and stops first always has the right of way.
- Vehicles turning left must always yield to vehicles approaching from the right and traveling straight ahead.
- There is a need for extreme caution when approaching large trucks and agricultural machinery.
- Beware of tractors and trailers. Such collisions often cause significant damage to vehicles and other objects.
- Truck drivers crossing an uncontrolled intersection must have enough time to do so so that the rear of the vehicle does not interfere with cross traffic.
- Be especially aware of unsignalized intersections at dawn, dusk, and at night when you cannot see a long trailer behind a truck.
- Be alert to trucks and semi-trucks where the sides may be dirty or reflective devices and other high visibility measures may not be working.
- Truck drivers should ensure that their turn signals and reflectors are working after unloading, as they may be more difficult to see after unloading.
Reducing accidents at intersections
Human error is the biggest contributing factor to road accidents. How to reduce the risk of an accident at an uncontrolled intersection:
- The ring is an effective way to reduce speed, reducing the likelihood of high-speed right-angle collisions.
- There are far fewer and less serious accidents at the roundabout than at intersections with traffic lights or stop signs.
- Clear road markings and compliance with traffic rules are an inexpensive method of increasing safety.
- Improving the timing of traffic lights can prevent certain collisions between traffic flows.
- Improving lighting reduces the likelihood of collisions at night and also reduces criminal activity.
- Pedestrians may be given time to begin crossing before the vehicle makes the turn.
- In dangerous areas, converting to two-way traffic and four-way stop signs can reduce the number of accidents.
At a T-intersection that is not controlled by traffic lights or road signs, the driver on the road must give the right of way across the road and yield to pedestrians crossing the street. This also applies when you enter the highway from a street or country road.