Right of way: who goes first

Right of way is one of the most misunderstood ideas on the road. It does not mean "my turn, so I go." It means the law has decided who must wait. The safest drivers give way even when they technically have the right of way, because being "right" is no comfort after a collision.

At an uncontrolled intersection

An uncontrolled intersection has no lights and no signs. When two vehicles arrive at about the same time, the vehicle on the left must yield to the vehicle on the right. A simple way to remember it: if the other car is on your right, they go first.

Yield signs and pedestrians

A yield sign — the downward-pointing red and white triangle — tells you to slow down, be ready to stop, and enter only when the way is clear. You do not always have to stop, but you must give way to any traffic or pedestrians already there. Pedestrians deserve special care: if the light changes while someone is still crossing, they keep the right of way until they reach the other side.

• Arrive together, uncontrolled
  Yield to the vehicle on your right.
• Yield sign
  Enter only when the way is clear; slow or stop if you must.
• Pedestrian in the intersection
  They keep the right of way — let them finish crossing.
• Leaving a driveway or private road
  Yield to all traffic and pedestrians before you enter the road.