1. Intersections & Right of Way
Chapter 8

2. 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
8-1 Intersections

3. 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
Searching Intersections

4. Parked vehicles on cross streets
Can You Name 6 Intersection Identifiers?
Street signs
Parked vehicles on cross streets
Traffic Stopping
Can You Name the 6 Intersection Identifiers?
Street signs
Roadway Markings
Crossing Traffic
Parked vehicles on cross streets
Traffic Stopping
Turning Traffic
Turning Traffic
Crossing Traffic
Roadway Markings

5. 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
Clues To Identify Intersections

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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
Approaching a Controlled Intersection

10. 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
Intersection Do’s and Don’ts

12. 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
Approaching an Uncontrolled Intersection

13. 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
Other Types of Intersections

14. 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
8-2 Right of Way

15. 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

16. 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
Right-of-Way at Intersections

17. Turn to page 176 in your textbook

18. 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

19. 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
Other Right-of-Way Situations

20. 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

21. 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

22. 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 ( 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

23. 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!
8-3 Railroad Crossings