Question

Difficulty: HardRight-of-Way Rules at Intersections

Traffic signals at a four-way intersection are dark due to a power outage, requiring all approaching drivers to treat the intersection as a four-way stop. Four road users approach the intersection under the conditions described below. In what order must right-of-way be yielded, from the first road user permitted to proceed to the last?

  1. 1An active ambulance with sounding sirens and flashing emergency lights approaching the intersection
  2. 2Vehicle A, which arrived and came to a complete stop at the intersection before any other non-emergency vehicles
  3. 3Vehicle B, which arrived simultaneously with Vehicle C after Vehicle A, and intends to travel straight through
  4. 4Vehicle C, which arrived simultaneously with Vehicle B across from it, and intends to make a left turn across Vehicle B's lane

Answer

The correct sequence from first to last is: (1) Active ambulance with sirens and lights, (2) Vehicle A (first standard arrival), (3) Vehicle B (simultaneous arrival, going straight), and (4) Vehicle C (simultaneous arrival, turning left).
The correct order follows established statutory traffic hierarchies: emergency vehicles with active sirens/flashing lights supersede standard controls (1st priority); among standard traffic at an all-way stop, the vehicle arriving first holds right-of-way (2nd priority); and when two opposing standard vehicles arrive simultaneously, straight-through traffic has right-of-way over left-turning traffic (3rd priority before 4th priority).

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify top priority vehicle overriding standard stop-sign rules
The active emergency ambulance with siren and lights activated receives immediate right-of-way priority over all standard traffic.
State traffic laws mandate that drivers yield right-of-way to emergency vehicles operating lights and sirens regardless of normal intersection arrival order.
2
Apply first-arrival rule for standard vehicles at an all-way stop
Vehicle A proceeds second.
At an intersection operating as a four-way stop, the first vehicle to reach a complete stop at the stop line has the right-of-way to proceed first among standard traffic.
3
Resolve right-of-way between vehicles arriving simultaneously at opposite approaches
Vehicle B (proceeding straight) moves third, before Vehicle C (turning left).
When opposing vehicles arrive at an all-way stop at the exact same time, the vehicle turning left across oncoming lanes must yield to the oncoming vehicle proceeding straight.
4
Assign final position to the yielding turning vehicle
Vehicle C proceeds last.
Vehicle C must wait until the oncoming straight-through vehicle clears the intersection before executing its left turn.

Key Concept

Right-of-way priority rules at all-way stop intersections involving emergency vehicle override, arrival ordering, and left-turn yield requirements.
Estimated Time:2m 0s
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