Question

Difficulty: MediumRight-of-Way Rules at Intersections

Four vehicles arrive at an intersection controlled by four-way stop signs under different conditions. Place the vehicles in the correct order in which they have the right-of-way to proceed through the intersection legally.

  1. 1An ambulance approaching with active sirens and emergency lights activated.
  2. 2A sedan that arrived and came to a complete stop before any other standard vehicle.
  3. 3A pickup truck traveling straight that arrived simultaneously with an oncoming left-turning vehicle.
  4. 4A coupe attempting a left turn across traffic that arrived simultaneously with the oncoming pickup truck.

Answer

The correct order of proceeding through the intersection is: 1) Emergency ambulance with active siren/lights, 2) Sedan that stopped first among non-emergency vehicles, 3) Pickup truck proceeding straight after simultaneous arrival, 4) Coupe turning left after yielding to oncoming straight traffic.
Right-of-way rules establish a clear hierarchy: active emergency vehicles hold absolute priority first. Next, multi-way stop rules grant precedence to whichever non-emergency vehicle stopped first (the sedan). Finally, when remaining vehicles arrive simultaneously, straight-through traffic (the pickup truck) has precedence over left-turning traffic (the coupe), placing the turning vehicle last.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify emergency vehicles with active warning devices
The ambulance with active sirens and lights takes absolute precedence over all other vehicles.
State traffic laws mandate yielding right-of-way to active emergency vehicles immediately.
2
Apply the 'first to arrive, first to proceed' rule for standard vehicles
The sedan proceeds next.
At multi-way stop intersections, non-emergency vehicles gain right-of-way in chronological order of arrival.
3
Resolve right-of-way between vehicles arriving simultaneously
The pickup truck going straight proceeds before the left-turning coupe.
Drivers making a left turn must yield to oncoming traffic moving straight through an intersection when arriving at the same time.

Key Concept

Right-of-Way Hierarchy at Multi-Way Stop Intersections
Estimated Time:1m 30s
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