Interacting at Intersections

An intersection is defined as any location where one direction of traffic meets another.  You might encounter other vehicles, pedestrians or both.  You will need to look to each side in intersections, crosswalks and at railroad crossings.

Intersections include:

• cross streets
• side streets
• alleys
• freeway entrances and exits
• driveways
• shopping centers access

Intersections are inherently dangerous.  As you approach a traffic light intersection and you have the green light okay for your passage through, you must still observe your surroundings and evaluate the situation.  Do not enter the intersection unless you can complete your travel through the entire intersection prior to the light changing to red.  This includes entering the intersection for turning purposes.

Before proceeding through an intersection you need to look to your left first, and then look to your right, and then look back to your left.  Even while at traffic lights that provide you with a green light, you should follow this practice.  Another driver could endanger you and themselves by not obeying their red stop signal and your observations back and forth may provide you with just enough foresight and forethought to avoid or lessen such a dangerous encounter.

When you encounter an intersection that does not have any stop and/or yield signs, you need to slow down and be prepared to stop.  You must yield to vehicles already in the intersection and you must yield to any other vehicles who arrived prior to you.  As with right-of-way courtesies, when more than one vehicle arrives concurrently, yield to the driver on the right.

Turning is intrinsically hazardous from a multitude of aspects.  Not only must a driver be aware of the surrounding traffic, they must also be observant to include watching for pedestrians, bicycles, motorcyclists, obstructions to their view, and obstructions in the roadway.  Always use your turn signals and remember to cancel them once your move has been completed.

When you encounter a "T" intersection with no stop and/or yield signs, all vehicles on the through road have the right of way.  In other words, if you encounter the T intersection and need to either turn left or right, you must yield or stop for all vehicles on the through road.

Turning left through an intersection means that you must provide the right of way/yield to those vehicles approaching you and are close enough to impede a safe turn.  Plus, you must continue to be vigilant in watching for pedestrians, bicycles and motorcycles.  Finish your turn only when it is safe to do so

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Remember to yield to traffic when you need to enter the road from a parking lot or have pulled to the side of the road and are ready to re-enter the roadway. 

Never stop in a crosswalk area whether or not it is marked.  There must be sufficient space for pedestrians to cross safely.  Keep in mind that blind pedestrians will require additional space for their cane or their service animal, as well as those traveling via a wheel chair or even children crossing with their bicycles or skateboards.

Intersections are not exclusively limited to road meets road or street meets street.  Intersections include entrances and exits to shopping centers, parking lots, schools, parks, neighborhoods, and playgrounds, or any location that includes busy areas - not exclusively busy with vehicles.  You may encounter children, animals, children following a ball into the street, pedestrians crossing at locations other than corners, or any number of scenarios.

Right of Way

The rules for "Right of Way" are generally well known.  Primarily, when reaching an intersection with other vehicles, the first to have arrived has the right of way, the second to arrive has the next right of way, etc., and if more than one vehicle arrives at the same time, yield to the driver on the right.  Now, while this is simple in structure and understanding, the actual practice does not work in each and every situation.  The driver must always be prepared to stop and should never demand the Right of Way if another driver refuses to yield - let them take it.  Remember to yield to any vehicle that has already entered the intersection, always yield to traffic and take your turn when it arrives.  Focus on your situation and remain courteous.  Confrontations are non-productive and offer only a lose-lose situation.

Pedestrians

** According to the California Driver Handbook 2010, one in six fatalities involves a pedestrian. Drivers are to yield the right of way to pedestrians in marked crosswalks and unmarked crosswalks at intersections. Pedestrians however, must use due care to cross only when it is safe to do so in marked or unmarked crosswalks.

A crosswalk is a designated area for pedestrians to cross the street.  All intersections where the streets with sidewalks meet (usually at nearly right angles) have a crosswalk whether or not there are painted lines in the road to so indicate.  It is delineated as that part of the pavement where the sidewalk lines would extend across the street.  Most marked crosswalks are painted in white however, you may see some crosswalks painted in yellow which usually indicates a crossing at or near a school.  Intersection crosswalks in residential areas are usually unpainted but still exist and must be heeded.

There are some locations where there are flashing lights to alert you that pedestrians may be crossing the street.  Even if these lights are not flashing, you need to be aware of any pedestrians and be prepared to stop and yield the right of way to them.

Most, but not all, crosswalks are located at intersections.  They could also be located in the middle of a block.

Keep in mind that the term "pedestrian" not only includes a person or persons on foot, it also includes people on skateboards, roller skates, roller blades, wheelchairs, someone walking their bicycle, etc.  Bicyclists riding their bikes are considered a vehicle just like a car or truck and should obey all traffic laws in the same manner as you, however you must still act cautiously around them since some will not be responding legally or as cautiously as they should.

You are not permitted to drive over a sidewalk except to travel across or into a driveway or alleyway.