11.3 Right-of-Way Rules, Rotaries, Roundabouts & Courtesy Crashes

"Right-of-way rules" settle situations that signs and signals don't control. The Manual is emphatic: they do not give you any "rights." The right-of-way is something you give, not take. If another driver doesn't follow the rules, give the right-of-way anyway.

Pedestrians

Always yield to pedestrians in the roadway. Also:

• when your light turns green, yield to pedestrians already in the crosswalk;
• when turning, watch for pedestrians, who have the right-of-way on a sidewalk or crossing a driveway or alley;
• always yield to blind pedestrians and stay stopped until they have crossed. Don't honk or wave them on, and never pass a stopped vehicle. The White Cane Law requires a complete stop;
• on multilane roads, never pass a vehicle stopped at a crosswalk without checking for pedestrians.

Intersections Without Signs or Signals

Slow down, look left and right, and go if the way is clear. However:

• Yield to any vehicle that has entered the intersection from your right, or is approaching from your right.
• Watch for traffic from the left as well. Even with the legal right-of-way, make sure the other driver is yielding.

Four-Way Stops

At an all-way stop, yield to:

• any vehicle that has already stopped;
• a vehicle directly to your right that stopped at the same time as you.

Vehicles go in the order they stopped: the first to stop is the next to go. If in doubt, yield to the driver on your right. Eye contact helps judge intentions.

Left Turns

Before any left turn, yield to:

• oncoming vehicles;
• vehicles already in the intersection;
• pedestrians or bicyclists crossing your path.

Entering From Lesser Roads

Rotaries

Rotaries are much more common in Massachusetts than elsewhere. A rotary lets roads from several directions meet without STOP signs or signals. There are yield signs at the entrances, and a central island forces traffic around it. Big rotaries are designed for speeds up to 40 mph.

Rotary traffic rules

• Traffic moves counterclockwise.
• Yield to vehicles already in the rotary, unless signs or police direct otherwise, and to pedestrians.
• Signal as at any other intersection, and use your right turn signal when you are ready to exit.

Choosing a lane

In a multilane rotary there may be traffic on both sides of you. Don't leave your lane until it is safe. If you miss your exit, stay calm and go around again. Don't stop in the rotary. Collisions while merging into a rotary are a Standard of Fault (section 7.2).

Roundabouts

Roundabouts are much smaller than rotaries, with a smaller central island. Most have yield lines and crosswalks. Their size requires speeds of 25 mph or less, which also reduces lane changes and makes them safe for bicyclists. Look for lane signs on the approach and follow the rotary rules for choosing a lane.

Courtesy Crashes

Drivers trying to be nice can cause confusion and "courtesy crashes." Waving someone through stopped traffic, or driving through because someone waved you in, is dangerous. Base your turn on traffic and visibility: turn only if you can see there is no oncoming traffic, or that all of it has stopped. Oncoming traffic keeps the right-of-way, whoever is waving at you.

Coaching Yield Decisions and Rotaries

• Narrate yield decisions. At every uncontrolled intersection ask: "Who is on our right? Have they entered or are they approaching?"
• Rehearse rotary lanes before arriving. Name the exit, then the entry lane and the exit lane, before reaching the yield sign.
• Never wave pedestrians or drivers through. Model the Manual's rule that a hand wave never transfers the right-of-way.