Right of Way Rules

1. Right of Way Rules ALABAMA COURSE OF STUDY #2, #3, #4, #5, #6 AND #7 Describe Alabama’s Basic Speed Law, list situations that require a complete stop, name situations that require drivers to yield the right of way, describe traffic signs and pavement markings that regulate passing, identify traffic signs, traffic signals and pavement markings, interpret Alabama’s Safety Belt and Child Restraint laws.

2. RIGHT OF WAY • When you drive, sometimes one or more drivers or pedestrians will want to use the same roadway space at the same time that you do. • Right of way rules are an aid to safe, smooth traffic flow. • They emphasize courtesy and common sense • There will be times that you must yield the right of way – meaning letting others go first based on a set of rules. • Never assume you have the right of way, you do not have it unless the other driver gives it to you.

3. Right of Way The Right of Way rules include: If two vehicles reach an intersection not controlled by signs or signals, and from different roadways at about the same time, the driver of the vehicle on the leftmust yield to the vehicle on the right. Special Note: If you enter an uncontrolled intersection at an unlawful speed, you lose any right of way which you would otherwise have.

4. Right of Way & Emergency Vehicles Yield to emergency vehicles when they are displaying a flashing red or blue light and sounding a siren or bell. Ambulance Fire Fighters Law Enforcement

5. Right of Way and emergency vehicles cont’d Whether the emergency vehicle is overtaking or meeting you, pull to the right side safely off the roadway and stop. Do not stop in an intersection. Do not proceed until the emergency vehicle has passed. If you cannot safety pull to the right side, stay where you are.

6. Yielding Right of Way Yield Signs are signs that mean, slow down and, if necessary, stop to yield the right of way to vehicles and pedestrians legally crossing the roadway.

7. Yielding Right of Way-cont’d Cars entering from a private road or driveway must stop and yield to cars on a public street or highway It is smart to obey right of way rules. Vehicles entering an intersection on green arrows must yield to other traffic lawfully using the intersection.

8. Examples that require drivers to yield right-of way. • Approaching and entering intersections • Entering from a private road or driveway • Merging onto highways • Approaching railroad grade crossings • To a blind person with a red tip cane or using a guide dog in an intersection

9. Right of Way When making a left turn within an intersection or into an alley, driveway, or private road, you must yield the right of way to a vehicle approaching from the opposite direction when it is within the intersection or close enough to present an immediate hazard.

10. Be the Responsible Driver! • The law gives the right-of-way to no one, but it does state who must yield the right-of-way. • Every driver, motorcyclists, bicyclists, and pedestrian must do everything possible to avoid a crash.

11. Give the Right of Way • At T intersections where you must yield to vehicles on the through road • When turning left in which case you must yield to oncoming cars, pedestrians, etc. • When driving on an unpaved road that intersects with a paved road • When returning to the roadway after the car is parked

12. Should you ever insist on the right-of-way? • The driver should never assume anything. • Drivers should anticipate other drivers’ actions, as well as, yielding whenever needed or required by law. • Giving up the right-of-way may help avoid a crash.

13. NO PASSING ZONE This area on the roadway will have a yellow and black triangular shaped sign placed on the left side of the roadway. It means that no passing is allowed. NO PASSING ZONE

14. NO PASSING ZONE • Many highway deaths and serious injuries occur on two-lane highways when vehicles collide head-on or sideswipe each other. Improper or careless passing causes most of these – almost always in violation of state law. • No passing zone signs are placed at the beginning of a No Passing Zone.

15. Passing Zones • On 2-lane roads with traffic moving in both directions, you may pass traffic on the left if the pass can be completed safely without exceeding the speed limit. • To pass a vehicle requires that you travel 10 mph faster than the vehicle you are attempting to pass • It is unlawful to drive on the shoulderto pass except during an emergency or when so directed by traffic authorities

16. PAVEMENT MARKINGS FOR NO PASSING AREAS Solid yellow lines: If solid on your side of the centerline you may not pass. If two solid yellow lines: passing is not allowed in either direction.

17. You may not cross the center line to pass • On a curveor hillwhere you cannot see a clear passing distance of at least 500 feet • At a highway intersection. • When meeting an oncomingvehicle. • Where signs prohibit passing, or where there is a solidyellowlineon your side of the center line. Double solid yellow prohibits traffic from bothdirectionsfrom crossing the center line to pass

18. Pedestrians and traffic When encountering pedestrians drivers must: • Alwaysyield the right of way to pedestrians • Not pass another vehicle stopped for pedestrians in a cross walk • Stop for schoolchildrenand school safety patrols • Not block crosswalks • Stop for schoolbusses displaying a extended stoparm

19. Pedestrians and traffic Pedestrians must • Obey traffic signals at intersections • Use sidewalkswhere provided. • Walk on the leftside of the roadway giving way to oncoming traffic. • Yield to all vehicleswhen crossing at points other than within a marked crosswalk or in a crosswalk at an intersection. • Not stand in the roadwaywhen hitchhiking.

20. OTHER TRAFFIC LAWS • Before backing you should look to the front, sides and rear and continue to look over your right shoulder to the rear while backing. • When changinglanes, glance over upur shoulder to check the blind spot your mirror does not cover. • Window tinting must be 32% or higher. And only the upper sixinches of the front windshield may be tinted and my not be red or amber.

21. OTHER TRAFFIC LAWS cont’d • Gas drive-offs can cause you to lose your license 1st offense—Class A misdemeanor 2nd conviction—suspended for 6 months 3rd conviction—suspended for 1 year • Mandatory liability insurance minimum coverage of $20,000 for personal injury for one person, $40,000 for 2 or more and $10,000 property damage Conviction for failing to have—fine up to $500 plus court costs.

22. Alabama Move-over Law 4 or more lanes: • Drivers must vacate the lane closest to the emergency vehicle or wrecker. • If changing lanes is unsafe or not possible, the driver must slow to a speed that is 15 mph less than the posted speed limit. 2 Lane Road Driver must move as far away from the emergencyvehicleor wrecker as soon as possible within his or her laneand slow to a speed that is 15mph less than the posted speed when the speed limit is 25mph or greater or travel 10mph when the speed is 20mph or less

23. THE END IGNORANCE OF THE LAW IS NOT EXCUSE OF THE LAW KNOW THE LAW