Right of way at junctions and pedestrian crossings
Right of way means who may go first. This chapter covers junctions with a traffic island, pedestrian crossings, the red man signal, and entering or crossing a public road.
Who goes first at a junction with a traffic island?
Vehicles coming from your right inside the junction go first. The rule is for a junction of two or more public roads where traffic must move around a traffic island. When you intend to enter it, yield (give way) to all vehicles approaching from your right within the junction.
There is one exception. A traffic officer or a road traffic sign may control your entry and require you to act differently. Then obey the officer or the sign.
What must you do at a pedestrian crossing?
You must yield right of way to a pedestrian who is crossing the roadway within a pedestrian crossing. Slow down or stop if that is necessary.
If another vehicle has stopped at a pedestrian crossing, you may not pass it.
What do the red man and green man signals mean?
The red man tells pedestrians at an intersection not to cross. Those who have not started must wait for the green man.
If the red man flashes:
- pedestrians who have not yet entered the roadway must wait for the green man
- pedestrians who are already in the intersection must cross as quickly as possible
When may you enter or cross a public road?
You may enter a public road only when you can do it with safety to yourself and other traffic.
You may cross a public road only when it is clear of moving traffic for a sufficient distance. That means far enough to cross without obstructing or endangering any traffic.
Mistakes learners make
- Yielding to the left at a junction with a traffic island. You yield to vehicles approaching from your right within the junction, unless a traffic officer or a road traffic sign requires you to act differently.
- Passing a vehicle that has stopped at a pedestrian crossing. You may not pass it.
- Thinking a flashing red man means every pedestrian must stop. Pedestrians already in the intersection must cross as quickly as possible.
Test yourself
Question 1
You are about to enter a junction in which traffic is required to move around a traffic island. No road traffic sign or traffic officer directs otherwise. To which traffic must you yield?
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Answer: B: All vehicular traffic approaching from your right within the junction
You must give way to all vehicles coming from your right inside the junction.
Question 2
You approach a pedestrian crossing while a pedestrian is crossing the roadway within the crossing. What are you required to do?
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Answer: A: Yield right of way, slowing down or stopping if necessary
You must give way to a person crossing inside a pedestrian crossing, and slow down or stop if you need to.
Question 3
True or false?
Whenever a vehicle has stopped at a pedestrian crossing, the driver of any other vehicle is permitted to pass the stopped vehicle.
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Answer: False
It is false: you may not pass a vehicle that has stopped at a pedestrian crossing.
Question 4
You intend to drive across a public road. When are you permitted to cross it?
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Answer: C: When the road is clear of moving traffic for a sufficient distance
You may cross a public road only when it is clear of moving traffic far enough for you to cross safely.
Question 5
Under what condition is the driver of a vehicle permitted to enter a public road?
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Answer: B: When it can be done safely for the driver and other traffic
You may enter a public road only when you can do it safely for yourself and for other traffic.
Question 6
The rule requiring a driver to yield to traffic approaching from the right applies on entering a junction where traffic is required to move around what?
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Answer: A: A traffic island
The rule applies at a junction where traffic must move around a traffic island.
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