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Road Rules Foundation · Topic 4 of 6 · ~1 min read
Priority & Right-of-Way Basics
Nobody has a right in traffic — only an obligation to avoid a crash. Priority rules are simply that principle turned into something you can act on in half a second at a junction. They exist to answer one question quickly and predictably: if two vehicles want the same space at the same time, who moves first, and who waits?
In this lesson you'll learn
- Why priority rules exist and how they connect to the "no rights, only obligations" mindset from Lesson 1
- How to work out who goes first at an uncontrolled junction with no signs or signals at all
- The exact legal difference between a Stop sign and a Give Way sign — and the precise procedure each one requires
- What each traffic light phase actually means, officially, including the Red-and-Amber "get ready" phase
- How to read a traffic police officer's hand signals — the exact meaning of each one
- 1. Priority-to-the-Right at Uncontrolled JunctionsWork out who goes first at a junction with no signs or signals at all.
- 2. Stop Signs vs Give Way SignsState the exact legal difference between a Stop sign and a Give Way sign, and the procedure each requires.
- 3. Traffic Light Phasestate the official meaning of each traffic light phase — including Red-and-Amber and the green arrow.
- 4. Who Gets Right-of-Way — and How to Give ItList who gets automatic right-of-way, and execute the procedure for making way safely when an emergency vehicle approaches.
- 5. Reading Police and Marshal SignalsRead a traffic police officer's hand signals and a traffic marshal's crossing signals correctly.
- 6. The Full Precedence OrderApply the complete precedence order when two sources of instruction conflict — and state the reversing rule.