1. Yielding the Right of Way
NV Driver Education Curriculum
Unit 6: Mixing with Traffic
Presentation 2 of 3
TOPICS:
Right of Way
Yielding at Intersections
Joining Traffic

2. City Traffic
City traffic can be heavy, fast-moving and more challenging.
Traffic density is heavier (more vehicles per mile) in cities.
When driving in the city, focus your attention on the driving task.
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3. Searching in City Traffic
Searching means moving your eyes in a constant pattern, from near to far and side to side. Constantly search the total traffic scene. Look for:
Vehicles merging into and out of traffic
Traffic signs and signals requiring action
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Retrieved: 02/24/11
People and cyclists moving on the roadway

4. What is a potential hazard in this scene?
Image from teenSMART
Car in rear tailgating
Pedestrian in street ahead
Oncoming traffic

5. The faster the traffic the larger the gap needed.
Judging Gaps
Before entering or crossing traffic, you must find a large enough gap in traffic.
Graphic image from Pearson Driver Right Textbook 11th Edition
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The faster the traffic the larger the gap needed.

6. Entering Traffic When you’re entering traffic: Signal intention
Yield the right of way to oncoming traffic
Search for gap in traffic
You will need at least a half block gap
Steer into nearest travel lane
Accelerate smoothly to speed of traffic
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White truck image from:
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7. Right of Way
The term right of way describes the privilege of having immediate use of the roadway.
You have the right of way when others give it to you, it cannot be taken.
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Stop sign image from:
Pedestrian image from:

8. Pedestrians Drivers should always be prepared to yield to pedestrians.
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Men image from:
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Pedestrians facing a green light may cross.

9. Yielding the Right of Way
When deciding whether or not to yield, remember:
Yield signs only indicates who should yield
It does not stop traffic
Do not assume others will yield to you
Best to yield to others
Even when not required
When yielding to another, don’t cause them to slow, stop, or change path of travel
Turn sign image from:
Stop sign image from:
Retrieved 03/04/11

10. When to Yield Right of Way
To pedestrians in crosswalks
To traffic within an intersection
Allow intersection to clear before proceeding
When entering traffic
Upon turning or from driveway
To the first vehicle at 4-way stop
If arrive at same time, yield to vehicle on right
To emergency vehicle
To trains
Stop image from:
Yellow sign image from:
Retrieved 03/04/11
Historic yellow yield sign

11. Yielding Video Click on web address to access video clips
The 60 Second Driver Yielding
(0:60)
The 60 Second Driver
Turn Into the Correct Lane
(0:60)
Click on web address to access video clips
*Suggest full screen viewing
NOTE: On Check access

12. Making Turns
Turning requires spatial judgment, speed control, and steering skill.
When making turns:
Signal intention (at least 100 feet in advance)
Be aware of your speed (approx mph)
Search ahead for potential hazards
Look through the vehicle’s turning path
Monitor your turning radius (not too sharp or wide)
Enter the proper lane
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Red car image from:
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13. Turning at an Intersection
When turning LEFT do not cut the corner
When turning RIGHT do not turn wide
Come to a complete stop before turning right on a red light
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Retrieved 02/10/11
In multi-turn lane roadways, maintain turning lane position

14. Turning right and accelerating to 30 mph takes about 6 seconds.
Right Turn
When making a right turn:
Signal in advance (at least 100 ft in advance)
Move to the right edge of road
Watch for pedestrians and cyclist
Look left, right, and left again
Proceed when clear
Turn into the closest right lane
Accelerate to the speed of traffic
Turning right and accelerating to 30 mph takes about 6 seconds.

15. 27% of intersection crashes deal with left turns
Protected Turn
Unprotected
Permission/Protected
Some lights have a “flashing yellow arrow” indicating yield to oncoming traffic.
Statistics and permission images from:
Unprotected image from:
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Flashing sign image from:
Retrieved 03/04/11

16. Turning Video Click on web address to access video clips
The 60 Second Driver Left Turns at a Median
(0:60)
The 60 Second Driver
Turning at a Wide Boulevard
(0:60)
Click on web address to access video clips
*Suggest full screen viewing
Always preview video before showing to students
Check content
Check availability
60 Second & Manitoba images from:
Retrieved: 01/21/10

17. Flashing Yellow Arrow Steady RED arrow Steady YELLOW arrow
If turning left, must stop
Steady YELLOW arrow
Prepare to stop
Flashing YELLOW arrow
Proceed with left turn after yielding to oncoming traffic
Steady GREEN arrow
Proceed with left turn
New signal throughout the United States.
It’s safer
It’s more efficient
It’s more consistent

18. U-Turns at Intersections
Know if a U-turn is permissible.
Turn images taken by CCSD
Un U-turn image from:
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In Nevada, U-turns are generally allowed at most intersections, unless a sign or signal prohibits it.

19. The 60 Second Driver U-Turns
U-Turn Video
The 60 Second Driver U-Turns
(0:60)
Click on web address to access video clips
*Suggest full screen viewing

20. Sign Trivia
Final Thoughts
YIELD indicates a driver must prepare to stop, if necessary, to let another proceed (give right-of-way).
Originally the sign was adopted as a yellow pointed-down equilateral triangle.
In 1971 the sign was changed with red background and white center as seen today.
Research and images from:
Retrieved 02/15/11
Were YIELD signs ever yellow?
Yes - in fact, yellow was the standard color for YIELD signs for nearly 20 years.
The YIELD sign was added to the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices in 1954 to assign right of way at intersections where a stop was not normally required. The sign was established as a point-down equilateral triangle with black legend and border on a yellow background. Some agencies also used a "keystone"-shaped YIELD sign, and others added the text "RIGHT OF WAY" in the space below the YIELD legend.
In 1971, the YIELD sign was changed to use the red background you see today, along with the white region in the center of the sign.

21. Test Your Knowledge
When making a right turn at an upcoming intersection, slow down and:
Merge into the bike lane
Move toward the left side of your lane
Activate turn signal 100 feet before turning
None of the above
Answer: C

22. Test Your Knowledge
A flashing yellow left turn arrow light at an intersection indicates you should:
Yield to oncoming traffic before turning
Make a U-turn, the road is closed
Speed up and turn quickly
Stop immediately
Answer: A

23. Test Your Knowledge This sign means: Mile marker 44 Speed limit 44
State road 44
Next exit 44 miles away
Answer: A
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Retrieved 03/17/11