Right-of-Way Rules: Who Goes First?

Right-of-way rules help you understand who goes first when vehicles, pedestrians, and bicyclists meet on the road. The vehicle that arrives to the intersection first has the right-of-way. Other vehicles, bicyclists, and pedestrians must wait for the person who has the right-of-way. Never assume that other drivers will give you the right-of-way. Give up your right-of-way when it will help prevent collisions.

Intersections

An intersection is any place where one road meets another road. Controlled intersections have signs or traffic signal lights. Uncontrolled and blind intersections do not. Before entering an intersection, look left, right, and ahead to check for vehicles, bicyclists, and pedestrians. Be prepared to slow down and stop if necessary. Pedestrians always have the right-of-way. Here are some right-of-way rules at intersections:

Without STOP or YIELD signs: The vehicle that arrives to the intersection first has the right-of-way. However, if a vehicle, pedestrian, or bicyclist gets to the intersection at the same time as you, give the right-of-way to the vehicle, pedestrian, or bicyclist on your right. If you approach a stop sign and there is a stop sign on all four corners, stop first and proceed as above.
T intersections without STOP or YIELD signs: Vehicles, bicyclists, and pedestrians on the through road (continuing to go straight) have the right-of-way.
Turning left: Check for pedestrians. Give the right-of-way to any pedestrian or approaching vehicle that is close enough to be dangerous.
Turning right: Always check for pedestrians crossing the street, and motorcycles and bicycles riding next to you.
Green traffic signal light: Proceed with caution. Pedestrians have the right-of-way.
Entering traffic: When entering traffic, you must proceed with caution and yield to the traffic already occupying the lanes. It is against the law to stop or block an intersection where there is not enough space to completely cross before the traffic signal light turns red.

Roundabouts

In a roundabout, traffic travels in one direction around a central island.

How to use a roundabout:

Slow down as you approach.
Yield to all traffic already in the roundabout.
Enter heading to the right when there is a big enough gap in traffic to merge safely.
Watch for signs and lane markings that guide you.
Travel in a counter-clockwise direction. Do not stop or pass.
Signal when you change lanes or exit.
If you miss your exit, continue around until you return to your exit.

If the roundabout has multiple lanes, choose your entry or exit lane based on your destination. This is shown in the image below. To:

Turn right (yellow car): Choose the right lane and exit in the right lane.
Go straight (red car): Choose either lane. Exit in the lane you entered.
Turn left: Enter and continue driving until you reach the exit in the direction you choose (blue car).

Overhead view of yellow car making a right turn at a roundabout. — Right Turn

Overhead view of a red car going straight at a roundabout. — Straight

Overhead view of a blue car turning left at a roundabout. — Left Turn

Pedestrians

These are considered pedestrians or vulnerable road users:

A person walking.
A person traveling on something other than a vehicle or bicycle. This includes roller skates, a skateboard, etc.
A person with a disability using a tricycle, quadricycle, or wheelchair for transportation.

Tricycle, Quadricycle, Standard Wheelchair, and Electric Wheelchair next to each other. — From left to right: Tricycle, Quadricycle, Standard Wheelchair, Electric Wheelchair.

Although pedestrians have the right-of-way, they also must follow the rules of the road.

When there is a pedestrian crossing a roadway with or without a crosswalk, you must use caution, reduce your speed, or stop to allow the pedestrian to safely finish crossing.

Other things to keep in mind:

Do not pass a vehicle stopped at a crosswalk. You may not be able to see a pedestrian crossing the street.
If a pedestrian makes eye contact with you, they are ready to cross the street. Yield to the pedestrian.
Always allow pedestrians enough time to safely cross a street as some groups such as seniors, people with small children, and people with disabilities may require extra time.

Crosswalks

A crosswalk is the part of the road set aside for pedestrians to safely cross the road. They are often marked with white lines. School crossings may have yellow crosswalk lines. Not all crosswalks are marked.

Pedestrians have the right-of-way in marked or unmarked crosswalks. If there is a limit line before the crosswalk, stop at the limit line and allow pedestrians to cross the street.

Some crosswalks have flashing lights. Whether or not the lights are flashing, look for pedestrians and be prepared to stop.

Pedestrians who are Blind

Pedestrians using guide dogs or white canes have the right-of-way at all times. These pedestrians are partially or totally blind. Be careful when you are turning or backing up. This is particularly important if you are driving a hybrid or electric vehicle because blind pedestrians rely on sound to know there is a vehicle nearby.

Do not stop in the middle of a crosswalk. This could force a blind pedestrian to walk into traffic outside of the crosswalk.
Do not honk your horn at a blind person.
When a blind person pulls in their cane and steps away from the intersection, this gesture usually means you may go.

Mountain Roads

If two vehicles meet on a steep narrow road and neither vehicle can pass, the vehicle facing uphill has the right-of-way. The vehicle facing downhill has more control when backing up the hill. The vehicle facing downhill should back up until the vehicle going uphill can pass.