Washington driving lesson · Intersections and Turning
Entering intersections and right-of-way
A 3-minute lesson from the Washington course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.
Intersections are where paths cross, so they're where crashes happen. Right-of-way rules decide who goes first, but the law only says who must yield. Nobody is ever entitled to force their way through.
Intersection
Any place where two or more roads come together: cross streets, roundabouts, calming circles, side streets, driveways, shopping centers, and parking lot entrances.
If you've stopped at the stop line but your view of the cross street is blocked, edge forward slowly until you can see. Crossing drivers will see your front end first and can slow or warn you.
Scan the entire area around intersections, especially near shopping centers, parking lots, construction, busy sidewalks, playgrounds, parks, and schoolyards.
You and another car reach a four-way stop at the same moment; the other car is on your right. Let it go first. If you'd both arrived together and you were going straight while it turned left, you'd 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.
Is every intersection legally considered a crosswalk in Washington?
Yes, whether it's marked or not
Only if it's painted
Only in urban areas
Only if a sign says so
Answer: Yes, whether it's marked or not
Every intersection is legally a crosswalk, whether it's marked or unmarked.
