California is well-known for its harrowing traffic conditions as well as its iconic Hollywood lore. Intersections connect multiple roadways where they cross, forming an intersection that requires rules for determining right of way.
The U.S. Department of Transportation warns that 50% of all traffic accident injuries and 25% of fatalities occur in intersections. Safely navigating an intersection requires drivers to make fast decisions based on their knowledge and understanding of their state’s traffic laws, including right-of-way laws in California intersections.
Understanding Guided Intersections in California
A guided or controlled intersection is one with a traffic signal light where two or more roads intersect. The traffic lights guide traffic flow through the intersection by signalling when to cross (green light) when to slow in preparation for a stop (yellow light), and when to stop (red light). Drivers may make right turns on a red light unless there is a posted sign indicating that turning right on red is prohibited.
Many guided intersections in California include red, green, and yellow arrow lights to guide those making left turns. A flashing yellow arrow light means drivers may make a left turn when the way is clear, using their own judgment.
Despite the clarity of guided intersections, accidents sometimes occur due to drivers who attempt to run through a yellow light before it turns red, intentionally run red lights, or distracted drivers who rear-end another vehicle stopped at an intersection for a red light. If you have been injured in an accident, contact our Van Nuys car accident attorneys for legal guidance.
California’s Right-of-Way Laws at Unguided Intersections
Unguided intersections do not have traffic lights to manage traffic flow. Instead, drivers must exhibit compliance and understanding of California’s right-of-way laws, including the following:
- At a four-way stop, the first person to arrive at the intersection has the right of way. If more than one driver stops at the intersection at the same time, the driver on the right has priority. However, if two vehicles arrive at the same time and are positioned across from each other in the intersection, the driver going straight has priority over the driver making a turn.
- At T-shaped intersections where a road ends at a street with left and right traffic, a driver on the dead-end street yields to traffic in both directions before making a left or right turn onto the intersecting road.
- At multi-lane intersections, drivers on a road with two lanes yield right-of-way to drivers on the multi-lane roadway.
- Pedestrians always have the right of way in crosswalks.
- When a driver is making a left turn or a U-turn on a two-way road, oncoming traffic has the right of way.
Roundabout Right-of-Way Laws in California
Roundabout intersections are increasingly popular in roadway planning, including in California. California drivers must know the following rules of right-of-way in roundabouts:
- Drivers should decrease their speed when approaching a roundabout.
- Drivers entering a roundabout must yield to traffic already in the roundabout.
- Drivers always proceed in a counter-clockwise direction in a roundabout.
- When exiting the roundabout, drivers must yield to traffic already on the roadway they are entering.
- Drivers must use turn signals when exiting a roundabout.
- Never come to a stop in a roundabout.
- Passing in roundabouts is prohibited.
- In multi-lane roundabouts, drivers must choose the lane appropriate for their turn, such as the right lane when making a right turn out of the roundabout or the left lane for a left turn.
Drivers in California must always use a signal light to signal a turn at an intersection, including guided, unguided, and roundabout intersections.
