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Difficulty: Very hardRight-of-Way Rules at Intersections

You are driving Vehicle A approaching a four-way intersection where your direction faces a flashing yellow traffic signal, and you intend to make a left turn. Vehicle B approaches from the opposite direction facing a flashing yellow light and is continuing straight. Vehicle C is stopped on the intersecting street facing a flashing red light and intends to turn right. A pedestrian has stepped into the marked crosswalk across the street into which you plan to turn. Under standard DMV right-of-way regulations, which of the following describes the correct right-of-way precedence?

  1. Vehicle B has right-of-way over Vehicle A to proceed straight; Vehicle A must yield to oncoming Vehicle B and to the pedestrian before making the left turn.Answer
  2. B
    Vehicle C has right-of-way over Vehicle A because right-turning vehicles always have priority over left-turning vehicles, regardless of signal light colors.
  3. C
    Vehicle A has right-of-way over oncoming Vehicle B because a flashing yellow traffic signal functions as an unprotected green light that grants left-turn priority.
  4. D
    Vehicle A must come to a complete stop at the intersection line before yielding, because flashing yellow signals require the same stopping procedure as a four-way stop sign.

Answer

Vehicle B has right-of-way over Vehicle A to proceed straight through the intersection. Vehicle A must yield to both the oncoming Vehicle B and the pedestrian in the crosswalk before completing the left turn.
The correct answer accurately synthesizes the hierarchy of traffic controls and turning rules. Traffic facing a flashing yellow signal has primary right-of-way over traffic facing a flashing red signal (Vehicle C). Between opposing drivers facing flashing yellow lights, straight-through traffic (Vehicle B) has right-of-way over left-turning traffic (Vehicle A). Furthermore, turning vehicles must always yield to pedestrians present in marked crosswalks.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Evaluate the signal status for traffic on the main street versus the cross street.
Vehicles A and B face a flashing yellow signal (proceed with caution). Vehicle C faces a flashing red signal (must stop completely and yield to all cross traffic).
Traffic facing a flashing yellow light has priority over traffic facing a flashing red light.
2
Evaluate right-of-way priority between opposing vehicles on the main street (Vehicle A vs. Vehicle B).
Vehicle B is proceeding straight, while Vehicle A is making a left turn.
Under DMV rules, drivers turning left across oncoming traffic must yield the right-of-way to oncoming vehicles moving straight through an intersection.
3
Evaluate pedestrian right-of-way obligations.
Vehicle A must yield to any pedestrian lawfully crossing within a marked or unmarked crosswalk at the destination roadway.
Pedestrians in crosswalks maintain right-of-way over turning motor vehicles.

Key Concept

Right-of-Way Rules at Signalized Intersections with Flashing Lights and Turning Movements
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Topics

Right-of-Way Rules at Intersections

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