Priority-to-the-Right at Uncontrolled Junctions

Most junctions have something telling you what to do — a sign, a light, a roundabout. But a huge number of junctions, especially in estates, rural areas, and older parts of towns, have no signage or signals at all. You still need a rule for these.

The convention: priority-to-the-right.

• If you and another vehicle arrive at an uncontrolled junction at roughly the same time, the vehicle approaching from your right has priority — you give way, they proceed.
• If you arrive clearly first, with no other vehicle approaching, you may proceed — with caution, since "uncontrolled" also means nobody else is guaranteed to know or follow this rule.

Why the right side specifically? Because we drive on the left, a vehicle approaching from your right is coming from the direction where your view is most restricted and closing speed is hardest to judge — the more dangerous unknown. So the rule puts the burden of yielding on you rather than on them.

The reality check, which matters more here than the theory suggests: priority-to-the-right only works if both drivers know and apply it. At a busy uncontrolled junction with matatus, bodas, and private cars converging, don't treat "I have priority" as a right you can drive into confidently. Slow down, make eye contact where possible, and be ready for the other driver not to follow the rule at all. Knowing it protects you legally and predicts what a careful driver will do — it doesn't guarantee what actually happens.