3.2 Right-of-Way Rules at Intersections and Roundabouts

3.2 Right-of-Way Rules at Intersections and Roundabouts

Right-of-way laws in Puerto Rico—codified in Law 22, Articles 5.03 and 5.04—establish clear priority rules to prevent traffic collisions at intersections, driveways, and circular junctions (glorietas). Right-of-way is not something a driver "takes"; it is legally yielded or granted by other highway users. Understanding these rules ensures orderly traffic flow and safety across urban and rural island roadways.

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Uncontrolled Intersections (Intersecciones Sin Señalizar)

An uncontrolled intersection is a crossing that lacks stop signs, yield signs, or traffic control signals. These are common in residential urban developments (urbanizaciones) and rural mountain sectors.

The Vehicle on the Right Rule

When two motor vehicles approach or enter an uncontrolled intersection from different highways at approximately the same time:

• Yield Rule: The driver of the vehicle on the left must yield the right-of-way to the vehicle on the right.
• Driver Duty: As you approach an uncontrolled intersection, you must reduce speed, scan left and right, and be prepared to yield to any vehicle approaching from your right side.

   UNCONTROLLED INTERSECTION YIELD PATTERN
   ---------------------------------------
             [Vehicle B] (Northbound)
                 |
                 v
   [Vehicle A] ------> (Eastbound - ON THE RIGHT)
   
   Rule: Vehicle B (on left) must stop/yield to Vehicle A (on right).

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Four-Way Stop Intersections (Pare de Cuatro Vías)

At intersections controlled by STOP signs (PARE) on all approaching branches, drivers must obey three fundamental priority rules:

1. First-Come, First-Served Rule: The vehicle that reaches the intersection and comes to a complete stop first has the right-of-way to proceed first.
2. Simultaneous Arrival Rule: If two vehicles arrive at perpendicular stop lines and come to a complete stop at the exact same moment, the driver on the left must yield to the driver on the right.
3. Head-on Arrival Rule: If two vehicles arrive opposite each other at the same time, vehicles traveling straight through or turning right have right-of-way over a vehicle signaling a left turn.

Critical Law 22 Rule: Drivers must come to a complete stop behind the painted stop line (línea de parada) or crosswalk. Rolling stops ("rueda de coche" or "Puerto Rican rolling stop") are illegal under Law 22 and subject to a $150 administrative fine.

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Left-Turn Yield Protocol

Turning left across oncoming lanes of traffic is one of the highest-risk maneuvers at intersections.

Statutory Left-Turn Rules

• Oncoming Traffic Yield: Any vehicle intending to turn left at an intersection, alley, or private road must yield the right-of-way to all oncoming traffic proceeding straight or making a right turn from the opposite direction.
• Wheel Positioning: While waiting for a gap in oncoming traffic to turn left, keep your front wheels pointed straight ahead. If your wheels are turned left and your vehicle is rear-ended by another car, you will be pushed directly into oncoming traffic.

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Entering Public Roads from Private Property

When a driver enters a public street or highway from a private driveway, alley, parking lot, gas station, or commercial building:

1. Mandatory Complete Stop: The driver MUST bring the vehicle to a complete stop immediately prior to crossing any sidewalk or entering the street pavement.
2. Yield Obligations: The driver MUST yield the right-of-way to all pedestrians walking on the sidewalk and to all approaching vehicles on the public street.
3. Merging: Drivers must wait for an adequate, safe gap in traffic before completing the entry maneuver.

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Roundabouts (Glorietas) — Navigation & Priority Rules

A roundabout (glorieta) is a circular intersection where traffic moves continuously counter-clockwise around a central island. Puerto Rico uses glorietas extensively to improve traffic flow and eliminate high-speed broadside collisions.

1. Absolute Right-of-Way Rule inside Glorietas

Traffic already circulating inside the glorieta has absolute right-of-way over entering vehicles.

• Yielding at Entry: Approaching drivers must reduce speed and yield to circulating traffic approaching from their left before entering the circle.
• Never Stop Inside: Once inside the glorieta, drivers must continue moving counter-clockwise until reaching their desired exit. Never stop or back up inside a glorieta.

2. Multi-Lane Glorieta Lane Selection

When approaching a multi-lane glorieta, select your lane before reaching the entrance yield line:

• Right Lane (Outer Lane): Use to make a right turn (first exit) or proceed straight through (second exit).
• Left Lane (Inner Lane): Use to proceed straight through, make a left turn (third exit), or perform a complete U-turn (fourth exit/return).

3. Exiting Protocol

• Signaling: Activate your right-turn signal immediately as you pass the exit prior to your intended exit point.
• Yielding to Pedestrians: Yield to any pedestrians crossing the exit ramp crosswalk upon leaving the glorieta.

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Summary of Right-of-Way Rules in Puerto Rico