4.3 Junctions, Roundabouts & Right-of-Way

Junctions Are Where Theory Becomes Survival

A large share of urban Nigerian crashes and near-misses happen where paths cross: T-junctions, crossroads, roundabouts, slip roads, and signalised intersections. The FRSC CBT tests whether you understand priority, not whether you can recite street names. Highway Code road-use rules, road signs, traffic lights, and marshal signals all answer the same question: who may move, and who must wait?

Nigeria has driven on the right-hand side of the road since 1972. That single fact rewires roundabout circulation and many "who is on my left/right" answers. Drivers trained on older left-hand stories, or on foreign left-hand-drive videos, fail CBT items that look "obvious" until traffic side is applied correctly.

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Approaching Any Junction — Position, Speed, Observation

Use a fixed approach routine every time:

1. Search early — read signs, markings, lights, and the geometry (T, crossroads, roundabout, merge).
2. Mirrors — know who is behind before you slow or turn.
3. Position — choose the correct lane early; avoid last-second swerves across solid lines.
4. Speed — reduce early enough for progressive braking; arrive able to stop if priority traffic appears.
5. Signal — indicate your intention in good time (look–signal–move / mirror–signal–manoeuvre).
6. Decide and execute — go only when the path and priority are clear; be ready to stop again.

Observation priorities at junctions

Never block the junction. If the road beyond the intersection is queued solid, wait before the junction so cross traffic can still move. This is the same idea as yellow-box discipline.

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Stop vs Give Way

STOP (octagonal red sign)

A STOP sign requires a complete stop behind the stop line or before the conflict point. "Rolling stop" culture is not the exam answer and is not safe when sight lines are short. After stopping, proceed only when the way is clear and you are not forcing major-road traffic to brake hard.

Give way / Yield (inverted triangle)

A Give Way (yield) sign — uniquely an inverted triangle pointing down — means slow, prepare to stop, and yield to traffic with priority (typically traffic on the major road or already in the roundabout). You may continue without a full stop only if the way is clearly clear; if not, stop and wait.

Markings that reinforce the signs

• A row of dashed white lines across your lane at an intersection often marks a give-way line.
• Solid stop lines pair with STOP control or red lights.
• Lane arrows tell you which turns are allowed from which lane — following the wrong arrow is both a collision risk and an offence mindset the CBT expects you to reject.

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Roundabouts (Right-Hand Traffic Priority)

Because Nigeria keeps right, vehicles inside a roundabout typically circulate counter-clockwise. Traffic already in the roundabout is usually on your left as you approach the entry from the right-hand lane system.

General right-of-way rule (exam standard)

Give way to traffic already inside the roundabout — commonly described as giving way to circulating traffic on your left. Vehicles entering do not automatically have priority. Speed is not priority. Horn is not priority.

Practical roundabout method

1. Approach in the correct lane; reduce speed early.
2. Observe circulating traffic (typically from the left).
3. Give way until there is a safe gap.
4. Enter, keep to the circulatory path, signal on exit as appropriate.
5. Do not stop on the circulating carriageway without a compelling hazard — hesitation mid-circle causes rear-end and side-swipe crashes.

Mandatory roundabout direction signs (blue circular signs with white circulatory arrows) reinforce that you must follow the marked circular flow — not invent a clockwise shortcut against traffic.

Trap: Applying UK-style "give way to the right" without adjusting for Nigeria's right-hand traffic. On the FRSC CBT, the stable answer is priority to traffic already in the roundabout / circulating on your left, not "fastest car wins."

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Traffic Lights

Standard vertical sequence is Red, Yellow (Amber), Green from top to bottom.

Never "jump" amber because you dislike the next red cycle. Late entries on red are a major crash pattern at signalised junctions.

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Traffic Marshals and Wardens — Hand Signals

Where a traffic warden or FRSC marshal is directing traffic, their signals control the junction even when drivers feel "their turn" has come.

Key signals tested in FRSC-style items:

If a light and a marshal appear to conflict in a live enforcement context, obey the person legally directing traffic at that moment — the exam rewards the safe, controlled response, not an argument with the officer.

Related courtesy and law: assaulting a marshal (AMD) and attempting to corrupt a marshal (ACS) are serious FRSC offence themes; know that marshals are authority figures in the road system, not optional scenery.

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Yellow Box Junctions and Anti-Blocking Rules

A yellow box junction is a yellow criss-cross grid painted on the road at an intersection. The primary rule:

Do not enter the box unless your exit road or lane is clear.

You must not drive in and sit blocking the cross streams because "the light was green when I entered." Green does not authorise gridlock. The same principle applies without paint: never block a junction so that cross traffic, pedestrians, or emergency vehicles cannot pass.

Emergency vehicles

When an ambulance, fire appliance, or police vehicle approaches with lights and sirens, safely pull over to the right edge of the road (right-hand traffic), clear of intersections, and stop to let them pass. Do not block the junction while "helping" by freezing in the middle.

Pedestrian crossings at junction approaches

Approaching a zebra crossing, slow down and stop for pedestrians who have stepped onto (or are clearly entering) the crossing. Parking or queuing on the crossing is both illegal-minded and dangerous.

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Putting Right-of-Way Together — Scenarios

Scenario A — Minor road to major road

You approach a T-junction from a side street controlled by Give Way. Major-road traffic is continuous. Correct action: slow, stop if needed, wait for a safe gap, then turn with a signal. Wrong action: nose out and force major-road drivers to brake hard.

Scenario B — Roundabout entry

Cars are already circulating from your left. Correct action: wait. Wrong action: enter because "I signalled" or "I am in a hurry."

Scenario C — Yellow box with green light

Your light is green but the far side is jammed bumper-to-bumper. Correct action: wait before the box until your exit is clear. Wrong action: enter and block the cross street.

Scenario D — Marshal vs impatient queue

A marshal's arm is vertical (all-stop). Drivers behind honk. Correct action: remain stopped until directed to move. Wrong action: creep forward "just a little" into the conflict zone.

Scenario E — Amber decision

You can stop safely before the line as amber appears. Correct action: progressive stop. Wrong action: accelerate to "beat" the red and risk a side impact.

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Exam Traps for Junctions and Right-of-Way

1. Left-hand-drive roundabout answers — wrong for Nigeria RH traffic.
2. "Green means go no matter what" — green still requires a clear path and pedestrian yield.
3. Entering a full yellow box — classic failure.
4. Ignoring marshals — signals mean stop all / stop side streams as shown.
5. Blocking junctions "for a minute" — still blocking; still wrong.
6. Assuming size equals priority — tankers and SUVs do not outrank STOP signs.
7. Forgetting pedestrians at junctions and zebras.

Mini checklist before you cross any junction

• What controls this junction (sign, light, marshal, uncontrolled)?
• Who already has priority?
• Is my exit clear?
• Have I checked mirrors and blind spots for okadas?
• Did I signal early enough?
• Am I about to stop in the junction instead of before it?

If you can answer those six questions every approach, you will score well on CBT right-of-way items and, more importantly, leave junctions without creating the crashes FRSC exists to reduce.