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Intersections & Right of WayChapter 8
8-1 Intersections
• Three basic types of intersections• Controlled• Use some form of signal, sign, or control device to direct traffic• Examples – Stop Lights, STOP & YIELD signs, flashing yellow lights, and
railroad crossings
• Semicontrolled• Have either signs or signals on one or several approaches to the intersection
but not every approach• Dangerous because not every driver knows what to do
• Uncontrolled• No form of control• Found in rural or residential areas with little traffic• Rarely found in the city or urban areas
Searching Intersections
• More than 1/3 of all collisions happen at an intersection
• 1/4 of all fatal collisions take place at an intersection
• Major Reason• Driver’s failure to identify a safe
path of travel through the intersection
Street signs
Roadway Markings
Crossing Traffic
Parked vehicles on cross streets
Traffic Stopping
Turning Traffic
Can You Name 6 Intersection Identifiers?
Clues To Identify Intersections
• Street Signs• Roadway Markings• Crossing Traffic• Parked Vehicles on Cross Streets• Turning Traffic• Traffic Stopping • Rows of Mailboxes• Fences or Power Lines
Approaching a Controlled Intersection
• Approaching a Red Light or STOP Signs• Reduce speed to stop• You must make a FULL STOP at the crosswalk, stop line,
or imaginary line extending from the stop sign if no actual line is painted on roadway
• You can be ticketed for not coming to a complete stop• Never try to beat a signal• Look for signs indicating turning prohibitions• No turn on red
Approaching a Controlled Intersection
• Yellow Lights and YIELD Signs• Point of No Return• Point at which you can no
longer stop safely without entering the intersection
• Checking traffic to your rear is crucial in determining whether or not to stop
• It is safer to proceed if you can do so safely rather than risk being rear-ended
Approaching a Controlled Intersection
• Yellow Lights and YIELD Signs• “Long” Yellow – the light just turned yellow• “Short” Yellow – the light has been yellow for a while and
could change to RED• Identifying this in the distance can better prepare you to
stop if the light changes to red• Flashing Yellow or YIELD sign at an intersection:• Reduce speed and scan in both directions• Look Left, Right, and Left again• Proceed if clear
Approaching a Controlled Intersection
• Green Lights• “Stale” Green• A light that has been GREEN for a long time• Anticipate and slow down
• “Fresh” Green• A light that has just changed from RED to GREEN
• Proceed when clear• Watch out for drivers trying to “beat” the yellow light• If turning left, make sure there is a sufficient break in
oncoming traffic
Intersection Do’s and Don’ts
• Don’t treat the lights as a drag race• Pedestrians or vehicles can come into your path as you
accelerate
• Don’t enter unless you are sure you can get all the way across• Don’t block the intersection• Can be ticketed in some jurisdictions
Approaching an Uncontrolled Intersection
• Use Extra Caution• Scanning ahead is critical• Many are in residential areas• Have to watch out for children, animals, etc.
• Always reduce speed and be prepared to stop
Other Types of Intersections
• Alley Intersections• Can be dangerous in urban settings• Have to be more patient in waiting for an opening• Is the first opportunity to go the best opportunity?
• Traffic Circles (Roundabouts)• Circular roadways that allow traffic from many different
directions to intersect without having to stop at traffic signals• Be aware of vehicles on both sides of you• Inner lane is used for through traffic/Outer lane for exiting traffic• Exiting can be tricky, so you can always travel around the circle
until you get an opening
8-2 Right of Way
• The right to use a certain part of a roadway when somebody else wants to use it at the same time
• “Yielding” is giving the “right-of-way” to someone else• You can always give right-of-way to others even if you
have the right-of-way• Why? – flow of traffic, avoid collisions, or just being
NICE• Never assume others will give you right-of-way• Communicate with others
Right-of-Way at Intersections
• Pedestrians come first – That’s why we stop behind the crosswalk or STOP sign
• Cross-traffic comes second• Uncontrolled intersections, intersections with STOP signs
on all corners (4-way), or intersections with flashing red or broken signal lights – Person that stops first, goes first
Right-of-Way at Intersections
• Right-Hand Rule• Drivers on the left should always give right-of-way to drivers on the right• Communication is vital
• Give Right-of-Way to pedestrians before coming to a sidewalk
• Give Right-of-Way to all vehicles in a roadway when approaching from an alley, private driveway, or private road• Stop Twice – once for pedestrians and once before entering the roadway
• Making turns• Always yield to vehicles that already have the right of way• If you are in the intersection and the light turns red, cross traffic will yield to you
• Turn to page 176 in your textbook
Other Right-of-Way Situations
• Passing• Always give right-of-way to vehicles passing you and any
vehicle that will prevent you from passing safely
• Merging Lanes• If the lane you are in ends, give right of way to vehicles
passing you in your lane
• Roadway Parking• When pulling out of a parking spot, you must give right-of-
way to through traffic on the road
Other Right-of-Way Situations
• Pedestrians• Always be prepared to give right-of-way to pedestrians• Treat any intersection as if there were a crosswalk painted on the road
• Emergency Vehicles• Must always give right-of-way to any emergency vehicle• Move to the far right of your lane as near to the curb as possible and stop• Do not stop in an intersection• If you can’t stop, slow down and make a path
• Funeral Processions & Motorcades• Lead vehicle has right-of-way over other vehicles• Will have flags, signs, lights, or police escort
• Vehicles behind the lead follow without stopping
8-3 Railroad Crossings
• Railroad crossings are the site of hundreds of deaths each year in the U.S.
• One of the deadliest types of intersections• Caused by human error:• Disobeying warning signals or devices• Outrunning trains• Ignoring crossing barriers
8-3 Railroad Crossings
• It takes 2/3 of a mile for an 8 car passenger train going 60mph to stop.
• It takes a 150-car freight car traveling 30 mph 3,150 feet to stop• This is the speed at which most highway-rail crashes occur
• Even if the engineer sees you, it is impossible for them to miss you• A train hitting a car is like stomping a pop can
8-3 Railroad Crossings
• Controlled Railroad Crossing• Includes signs, warning lights, signals, roadway markings,
lowered crossing gates, or some combination of these• Warning signs will be posted well in advance (200-800 feet)
• Uncontrolled Railroad Crossings• Found in rural areas• No warning signs or signals• Treat as if you were approaching a YIELD sign
8-3 Railroad Crossings
• Approaching a railroad Crossing• Reduce speed and listen for train coming• Look and Listen
• Determine if any controls are at the crossing and obey them• Do not try to beat the train• Do not go if the gates are down
• If you determine it is clear, proceed. If it is not clear, stop well away from the tracks (20 feet)
• Once the train has passed, check to make sure there isn’t another• Don’t just go because the arms are up!
