1. Understanding the Virginia Driver’s Manual
Lesson 3
Right of Way

2. Right of Way Concepts
Right-of-Way is not a right or privilege – it must be given!
Right of Way is determined by a set of rules
Drivers must understand right-of-way rules governing
Intersections
Merges
Special conditions

3. Right–of–Way Concepts: Intersections
We will Determine Who Should Yield In The Following Situations
Controlled Intersections
Uncontrolled Intersections
Single or two-lane roads
intersecting with multiple-lane roads
When turning left
“T” Intersections
Railroad grade crossings

4. Right–of–Way Concepts: Intersections
Controlled Intersections
A controlled intersection has signs or signals to
regulate the flow of traffic
Signs and/or signals
determine who should yield
regulate the flow of traffic and pedestrians

5. Uncontrolled or 4-Way Stop Intersections
An uncontrolled intersection has NO signs or signals to regulate the flow of traffic
A 4-way stop has a stop sign at each corner
First Car Rule
Same Time Rule
Vehicles approaching an intersection must yield to vehicles already in the intersection
When two or more vehicles approach an intersection at approximately the same time, the driver of the vehicle on the left shall yield the right-of-way to the vehicle on the right

6. Uncontrolled or 4-Way Stop Intersections
In these illustrations, the Blue Car must yield the right-of-way.

7. Testing Your KnowledgeA B
If both of these vehicles arrive at this uncontrolled intersection at the same time, who must yield?
a. Car A
b. Car B

8. Testing Your Knowledge
a. Car a
Correct!
At and UNCONTROLLED INTERSECTION or 4-WAY STOP if two vehicles approach at the same time, the vehicle on the left must yield

9. Right–of–Way Concepts: Intersections
T-Intersections
At a T-intersection, the vehicle on the side street must stop and yield right of way
Who must yield in these two scenarios?
Traffic Circles
Vehicles entering the traffic circle shall yield to vehicles already in the intersection

10. Testing Your Knowledge
Who must yield at a traffic
circle (roundabout)?
a. Vehicles in the circle
b. Vehicles entering the circle

11. Testing Your Knowledge
b. Vehicles entering the circle
Correct!
Vehicles entering a traffic circle must yield to vehicles already in the circle

12. Right–of–Way Concepts: Emergency Vehicles
With a partner:
Discuss the laws of yielding to emergency vehicles and school buses.

13. Right–of–Way Concepts: Emergency Vehicles
Yield the Right-of-Way to Emergency Vehicles
Vehicles must yield the right-of-way to police, fire, and rescue vehicles using a siren and/or flashing lights
If traffic is congested and prevents moving to the right edge of the road, adjust lane position and leave a clear path for the emergency vehicle to pass.
On an undivided highway, all traffic must pull over to the edge of the road and allow the emergency vehicle to pass.

14. Right–of–Way Concepts: Pedestrians
Yield the Right-of-Way to Pedestrians
Intersections
Crosswalks
Making Right Turns
Making Left Turns

15. Right–of–Way Concepts: School Bus
Yield the Right-of-Way to School Buses
All traffic must stop for a school bus with flashing red lights and an extended stop sign
UNLESS
the school bus is traveling on the opposite side of a highway separated by a physical barrier or unpaved median area.

16. Right–of–Way Concepts: School Bus
If a School Bus is loading or unloading students on a two lane road, traffic from both directions must stop
At an intersection, all traffic must stop
In these illustrations, the RED cars must STOP and YIELD Right-of-Way

17. Right of Way Concepts: School Bus
Vehicles traveling on the opposite side of a divided highway separated by a barrier or unpaved median do not have to stop
In this illustration, the RED cars must STOP and YIELD Right-of-Way

18. Railroad Crossings Railroad crossings are specialized intersections
Passing and overtaking is not permitted
Virginia law requires certain vehicles (e.g., school buses, oil tankers, etc.) to stop at all railroad crossings
If you follow one of these “Must STOP Vehicles”, be prepared to stop, since you cannot pass or overtake them at an intersection

19. Railroad Crossings
Advance warning signs – a round, yellow sign with a black “ RR” indicates a highway-rail crossing is ahead - be prepared to stop
Pavement markings – “RR” painted on the pavement - be prepared to stop
Crossbuck signs are like yield signs – drivers must YIELD to trains
Slow down and be prepared to stop when you see the crossbuck sign.
A sign below the crossbuck indicates the number of tracks drivers must cross

20. Railroad Crossings Flashing red lights and warning bells
STOP - if you see flashing red lights or hear warning bells
Gates - flashing red lights and/or bells STOP Never go around the gates, it’s against the law
Flag operator - Proceed only when given the “all clear” signal
Train whistle - STOP if you hear a train whistle, or see a train
Cross when the gates are up, the lights and bells stop, and all tracks are clear in both directions!

21. Railroad Crossings Most Train/Vehicle Crashes Result from Driver Error
Topic 3 Lesson 2
Most Train/Vehicle Crashes Result from Driver Error
A train going 50 mph takes 1.5 miles to stop (on average).
A car going 55 mph takes about 200 feet to stop.
REMEMBER: A train cannot swerve or stop quickly to avoid a crash.
Trains do not and cannot stop at crossings — Consequently, the vehicle driver is responsible for avoiding the collision.
Remember:
Don’t drive onto the tracks unless you have enough room on the other side.
Don’t change gears while crossing.
Be extra careful at night and in low visibility conditions.
If the gate starts lowering as you are crossing, keep going, don’t stop and don’t back up.
Don’t pass other vehicles at the crossing.
T – 1.18

22. Railroad Crossings
This is what could happen if you cross paths with a train.
Car vs. Train...Car Always Loses
Cross when the gates are up, the lights and bells stop, and all tracks are clear in both directions!

23. Testing Your Knowledge
You must always stop for a stopped school bus with it flashing lights and stop arm unless
a. You are at an intersection
b. There are no children loading or unloading
c. There is a median between you and the bus

24. Testing Your Knowledge
c. There is a median between you and the bus
Correct!
You must always stop for a school bus with flashing lights and a stop arm unless there is a median between you and the bus

25. Testing Your Knowledge
When you approach this sign, you should
a. stop
b. proceed with caution
c. slow down, look and listen for trains

26. Testing Your Knowledge
c. slow down, look and listen for trains
Correct!
The crossbuck should be regarded as a yield sign
Drivers should slow down, listen and look for trains and be prepared to stop

27. UNLESS OTHERWISE POSTED
Speed Limits
A speed limit is the maximum legal speed you can travel on a road under ideal conditions
Basic Speed Limits
School, Business or Residential Zones 25 MPH
Rural Expressway (Interstates) 70 MPH
Rustic Roadways MPH
All other roadways MPH
UNLESS OTHERWISE POSTED

28. Speed Limits
The 2010 Virginia General Assembly raised the maximum allowable speed limit in Virginia to 70 MPH.
These 70 MPH speed zones will only apply to roadways specifically designated by VDOT.
Driving above 80 MPH will still constitute reckless driving.