California Driver Handbook
Laws and Rules of the Road
Right of Way Rules
General Information
Right-of-way rules together with courtesy and common sense help to promote traffic safety. It is important to respect the right-of-way of others, especially pedestrians, motorcycle riders, and bicycle riders. Never assume other drivers will give you the right of way.
Respecting the right-of-way of others is not limited to situations such as yielding to pedestrians in crosswalks, or watching carefully to ensure the right-of-way of bicyclists and motorcyclists. Motorists must respect the right-of-way of others by not violating traffic laws such as failing to stop at a stop sign or traffic light, speeding, making unsafe lane changes or illegal turns. Statistics show that a high percentage of injury accidents in California are caused by right-of-way violations.
Pedestrians
Pedestrian safety is a serious issue. One in six traffic fatalities is a pedestrian. Drive cautiously when pedestrians are near because they may cross your path.
A pedestrian is a person on foot or who uses a conveyance such as roller skates, skateboards, etc., other than a bicycle. A pedestrian can also be a person with a disability on a tricycle or quadricycle or in a wheelchair.
- Respect the right-of-way of pedestrians. Always stop for any pedestrian crossing at corners or other crosswalks, even if the crosswalk is in the middle of the block, and at corners with or without traffic lights, whether or not the crosswalks are marked by painted lines.
- Do not pass a car from behind that has stopped at a crosswalk. A pedestrian you can’t see may be crossing.
- Do not drive on a sidewalk, except to cross it at a driveway or alley. When crossing, yield to any pedestrian.
- Do not stop in a crosswalk. You will place pedestrians in danger.
- Remember—if a pedestrian makes eye contact with you, he or she is ready to cross the street. Yield to the pedestrian.
- Allow older pedestrians more time to cross the street.
- Important: Blind pedestrians rely on the sound of your vehicle to remain aware of their surroundings, so it is important that you stop your vehicle within 5 feet of the crosswalk. Drivers of hybrid or electric vehicles need to remain especially aware of this, as the lack of engine noise may lead a blind pedestrian to assume that there is not a car nearby. Follow cues: When a blind person pulls in his/her cane and steps away from the intersection, this gesture usually means for you to go. Additional information regarding pedestrians who are blind can be found on page 40.
Information regarding pedestrians who are blind can be found here.
Crosswalks
A crosswalk is that part of the roadway where the sidewalk lines would extend across the street and it is set aside for pedestrian traffic. Every intersection has a pedestrian crosswalk whether or not there are painted lines on the street. Most crosswalks are at corners but they can also be in the middle of the block. Before turning a corner, watch for people about to cross the street. Pedestrians have the right of way in crosswalks, even if the crosswalk is in the middle of the block.
Crosswalks are often marked with white lines. Yellow crosswalk lines may be painted at school crossings. Most often, crosswalks in residential areas are not marked.
Some crosswalks have flashing lights to warn you that pedestrians may be crossing. Look for pedestrians and be prepared to stop, whether or not the lights are flashing.
Intersections
An intersection is any place where one line of traffic meets another. Intersections include cross streets, side streets, alleys, freeway entrances, and any other location where vehicles traveling on different highways or roads join each other.
- At intersections without STOP or YIELD signs, slow down and be ready to stop. Yield to vehicles already in the intersection or just entering it. Also, yield to the car which arrives first or to the car on your right if it reaches the intersection at the same time as you do.
- At “T” intersections without STOP or YIELD signs, yield to vehicles on the through road. They have the right-of-way.
- When you turn left, give the right-of-way to all vehicles approaching you that are close enough to be dangerous. Also, look for motorcyclists, bicyclists, and pedestrians. On divided highways, or highways with several lanes, watch for vehicles coming in any lane you must cross. Turn left only when it is safe.
- When there are STOP signs at all corners, stop first, then follow the above rules.
- Yield to traffic before entering the road again if you have parked off the road or are leaving a parking lot, etc.
Safety suggestion: While waiting to turn left, keep your wheels pointed straight ahead until it is safe to start your turn. If your wheels are pointed to the left and a vehicle hits you from behind, you could be pushed into oncoming traffic.
Roundabouts
A roundabout is an intersection where traffic travels around a central island in a counter-clockwise direction. Vehicles entering or exiting the roundabout must yield to vehicles, bicyclists, and pedestrians.
When you approach a roundabout:
- Slow down as you approach the intersection.
- Yield to pedestrians and bicyclists crossing the roadway.
- Watch for signs and pavement markings that guide you or prohibit certain movements.
- Enter the roundabout when there is a big enough gap in traffic.
- Drive in a counterclockwise direction. Do not stop or pass other vehicles.
- Use your turn signals when you change lanes or exit the roundabout.
- If you miss your exit, continue around until you return to your exit.
Multiple and single lane roundabout
For roundabouts with multiple lanes, choose your entry or exit lane based on your destination. For example, to:
- Turn right at the intersection, choose the right-hand lane and exit in the right-hand lane. (Blue car)
- Go straight through the intersection, choose either lane, and exit in the lane you entered. (Red car)
- Turn left, choose the left lane, and exit. (Yellow car)
On Mountain Roads
When two vehicles meet on a steep road where neither can pass, the vehicle facing downhill must yield the right-of-way by backing up until the vehicle going uphill can pass. The vehicle facing downhill has the greater amount of control when backing.