A 4-minute lesson from the New York course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.
Most traffic crashes happen at intersections when a driver makes a turn, and many happen in large parking lots such as shopping centers. Signs and signals don't settle every conflict: a green light doesn't tell you who goes first when you turn left across oncoming traffic. Right-of-way rules do.
Know the rule
A driver approaching an intersection must yield to traffic already in the intersection. Even on a green light, let a vehicle already turning left finish before you enter.
When drivers from opposite directions reach an intersection at about the same time, the driver turning left must yield to traffic going straight or turning right.
You may enter the intersection to prepare for a left turn if the light is green and no vehicle ahead of you is turning left. Keep right of the center line with wheels straight, then turn when oncoming traffic clears or stops for a red light.
For any left turn, including into a driveway or parking lot with no signs or signals, you must yield to oncoming traffic close enough to be a hazard. If you have any doubt, wait.
At an intersection with no signs or signals, or when drivers at right angles stop at STOP signs at the same time, the driver on the left yields to the driver on the right.
You must yield to pedestrians legally using marked or unmarked crosswalks, slowing or stopping if needed, including crosswalks to your left or right before you turn. Always take care to avoid colliding with pedestrians and bicyclists.
Don't enter an intersection if traffic is backed up on the other side and you can't get completely through. Watch for cross-streets and offset intersections so you don't cause gridlock by blocking another street.
You're leaving a mall parking lot and turning left onto the street. Stop, then yield to vehicles from both directions and to any pedestrian crossing the exit. Turning right, you'd still stop and wait for vehicles approaching from your left.
Put it into practice
You and another driver stop at STOP signs on crossing roads at the same moment. Both of you are going straight, and the other car is on your right. You must yield and let that driver go first.
Check your understanding
Read the question, decide on an answer, then open it to check the explanation. These are Roadwise study questions based on the source handbook.
Two drivers reach an uncontrolled intersection from crossing roads at the same time. Who must yield?
The driver on the right yields to the driver on the left
Whoever arrived first has the right-of-way
Neither driver has to yield
The driver on the left yields to the driver on the right
Answer: The driver on the left yields to the driver on the right
At an uncontrolled intersection, or when both stop at STOP signs at the same time, the driver on the left yields to the driver on the right.