Question

Difficulty: MediumRight-of-Way Rules at Intersections

Several road users arrive at a signalized intersection at the same time. Place the following road users in the correct order of right-of-way precedence, starting with the road user who has the highest priority to proceed first (Position 1) and ending with the one who must yield to all others (Position 4).

  1. 1An ambulance responding to an emergency with active siren and flashing lights
  2. 2A pedestrian crossing within a marked crosswalk with a illuminated 'WALK' signal
  3. 3A sedan proceeding straight through the intersection on a circular solid green light
  4. 4A SUV turning left across oncoming traffic on a circular solid green light

Answer

The correct order of right-of-way precedence from first to proceed to last is: 1) The emergency ambulance with active siren and lights, 2) The pedestrian crossing in a marked crosswalk on a walk signal, 3) The sedan proceeding straight on a solid green light, and 4) The SUV making an unprotected left turn on a solid green light.
Emergency vehicles operating with active siren and flashing lights hold primary priority over all traffic controls and other road users. Next, pedestrians crossing in a marked crosswalk with a walk signal hold right-of-way over non-emergency motorized vehicles. Among non-emergency vehicles facing a circular green light, straight-through traffic has right-of-way precedence over oncoming vehicles executing an unprotected left turn. Therefore, the left-turning vehicle must yield to all other users before proceeding.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify top-priority emergency overrides
The emergency vehicle (ambulance with active siren/lights) takes Position 1.
Emergency vehicles displaying active visual and audible warning signals legally supersede standard traffic signals and normal right-of-way rules.
2
Evaluate vulnerable road user priority (pedestrians)
The pedestrian lawfully crossing with a 'WALK' signal takes Position 2.
Traffic laws grant pedestrians lawfully present in a marked crosswalk right-of-way over non-emergency vehicular traffic.
3
Determine priority between straight and turning traffic
The sedan proceeding straight on a green light takes Position 3, while the SUV making an unprotected left turn takes Position 4.
Under standard DMV rules, traffic proceeding straight through an intersection on a solid green light has right-of-way over oncoming vehicles attempting an unprotected left turn.

Key Concept

Right-of-Way Precedence Hierarchy at Signalized Intersections
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