Right-of-way: who goes first

Right-of-way rules decide who goes first when vehicles, bicyclists and pedestrians meet. The basic rule is that whoever reaches the intersection first goes first, and others wait. Never assume another driver will give you the right-of-way, and give yours up whenever that avoids a collision.

Intersections

• No STOP or YIELD signs: first to arrive goes first. If you arrive at the same time as someone else, yield to the vehicle, bicyclist or pedestrian on your right.
• STOP signs on all corners: stop first, then apply the same rules.
• T intersection without signs: traffic on the through road goes first.
• Turning left: yield to pedestrians and to any oncoming vehicle close enough to be dangerous.
• Turning right: check for pedestrians crossing and for bicycles and motorcycles beside you.
• Green light: go with caution; pedestrians have the right-of-way.
• Entering traffic: yield to the traffic already in the lanes. Do not enter an intersection you cannot clear before the light turns red.

Roundabouts

Traffic goes counter-clockwise around a central island. Slow down, yield to everyone already in the roundabout, and enter to the right when the gap is big enough. Inside, never stop or overtake; signal before changing lanes or leaving. If you pass your exit, go around again. With several lanes: to turn right, use the right lane and exit right; to go straight, use either lane and exit in the lane you entered; to turn left, enter and keep going to your exit.

Pedestrians

People on foot, people on skates or skateboards, and disabled people who get around by tricycle, quadricycle or wheelchair all count as pedestrians. In a crosswalk, painted or not, the pedestrian goes first. If a limit line comes before the crosswalk, stop at that line. When someone is crossing, with or without a crosswalk, slow down or stop so they can finish. Do not pass a car stopped at a crosswalk. A pedestrian who makes eye contact is ready to cross. Older people, parents of small children and disabled people may need more time to cross, so give it to them. Some crosswalks have flashing lights: look for pedestrians whether or not they flash. School crossings may have yellow lines.

Blind pedestrians

A person with a guide dog or a white cane always has the right-of-way. Do not stop in the middle of the crosswalk, and never honk at them. Take extra care when turning or backing, especially in a quiet hybrid or electric car. When they pull in the cane and step back, it usually means you may go.

Mountain roads

On a steep, narrow road with no room for both, the car pointing uphill goes first. The car pointing downhill backs up, because reversing uphill is easier to control.