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Question

Difficulty: HardRight-of-Way Rules at Intersections

Three vehicles arrive at an uncontrolled four-way intersection without any traffic signs or signals at the exact same time: Vehicle A approaches from the north intending to make a left turn, Vehicle B approaches from the east intending to proceed straight, and Vehicle C approaches from the south intending to proceed straight. The west approach has no vehicles. Which driver has the legal right-of-way to proceed through the intersection first?

  1. A
    The driver of Vehicle A, because left-turning vehicles establish immediate right-of-way once they enter the intersection first.
  2. B
    The driver of Vehicle B, because vehicles traveling on east-west corridors always hold right-of-way over north-south traffic.
  3. The driver of Vehicle C, because they are traveling straight and have no vehicle approaching from their immediate right.Answer
  4. D
    All three drivers must bring their vehicles to a complete stop and yield until a traffic officer arrives to direct the intersection.

Answer

The driver of Vehicle C has the legal right-of-way to proceed first because they are traveling straight through the intersection and have no vehicle approaching from the road to their immediate right.
The correct response identifies the driver approaching from the south (Vehicle C) as having primary right-of-way. Under standard DMV guidelines for uncontrolled intersections, drivers must yield to traffic approaching from their right. The driver coming from the east (Vehicle B) must yield to the driver coming from the south (Vehicle C) on their right. Furthermore, the driver turning left from the north (Vehicle A) must yield to oncoming traffic traveling straight (Vehicle C). Because no vehicle is approaching from the west, the driver from the south has no vehicles on their right and proceeds first.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Apply the standard yield-to-the-right rule for uncontrolled intersections
Vehicle B approaches from the east and has Vehicle C approaching from the south (on Vehicle B's right), so Vehicle B must yield to Vehicle C.
At intersections without signs or signals, drivers must yield right-of-way to any vehicle entering or approaching from their right.
2
Evaluate the right-of-way for the driver approaching from the south (Vehicle C)
Vehicle C's right side (the west approach) is empty.
Since no vehicle is approaching from Vehicle C's right, Vehicle C is not required to yield under the yield-to-the-right rule.
3
Evaluate turning rules against straight-through traffic
Vehicle A (southbound turning left) must yield to Vehicle C (northbound moving straight).
Drivers making a left turn must yield the right-of-way to any oncoming vehicles moving straight through the intersection.
4
Determine final precedence order
Vehicle C proceeds first, followed by Vehicle B, and finally Vehicle A completes its left turn.
Vehicle C fulfills all right-of-way criteria to proceed ahead of both other vehicles.

Key Concept

Uncontrolled Intersection Yield-to-the-Right and Left-Turn Priority Rules
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Topics

Right-of-Way Rules at Intersections

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