Traffic rules

Advertiser Disclosure DefensiveDriving.org may receive compensation from the links you click on this site. This does not impact our reviews which remain our personal opinions and unbiased regardless of advertising you may see. One of the most challenging parts of driving theory is the right of way rules. We’ve all been in that standoff situation at a four-way stop sign where each car seems to arrive at the same exact moment. Who goes first? While these situations can be stressful, there are procedures to follow that give logic to the chaos. Our in-depth guide to the right of way will clear things up. Hopefully with our help, you make the best right of way decisions in virtually any driving situation. What is Right of Way? Some drivers have the misconception that the right of way in the United States is a fundamental and protected right. They think of right-of-way laws like the right to freedom of speech. In the eyes of these drivers, if they get in an accident where they had the right of way, they will not be held responsible. This thinking is not only untrue, but hazardous to others. It fails to include any defensive driving practices. Let’s pretend a driver is heading down the road at 35 miles an hour. A pedestrian begins jaywalking in front of them. Since there is no crosswalk, the driver concludes that vehicles in the roadway have the right of way. Feeling perfectly justified, the driver pushes on the gas and plows into the pedestrian. Our fictional driver will be unpl...

If you're traveling to the United States for the first time, there are certain customs that might take some adjustment. Some examples include the weather, the food, people's attitudes, and driving laws. Chances are, the rules of the road in the U.S. will be slightly different than those that you're used to. The guide below will outline the different laws that are common across the country. NOTE: Keep in mind that certain traffic laws can also differ from state to state. Before traveling, check up on the General Driving Rules in the U.S. Below are a set of driving rules that apply to every state in the United States. Take your time while driving to allow yourself to adjust to the differences. • Vehicles drive on the right side of the road. • This might feel odd, especially at intersections and turn lanes if you're used to driving on the left side of the road. • Steering wheels are on the left side of the car. • When making a left hand turn, pass in front of cars making similar left hand turns across the intersection. • Do not try to pass behind cars turning across from you. • White lines are used to separate lanes of traffic moving in the same direction. • Yellow lines are used to separate traffic headed in opposite directions. • Do NOT cross into lanes separated by lines that are solid yellow. • If the yellow line is broken, cross/pass with caution, but be highly aware of oncoming traffic. • If you're behind a school bus with flashing red lights, you may NOT pass it until ...

Your state’s driving manual will introduce you to basic driving rules and traffic laws. A complete run-down of all vehicle and traffic laws can usually be accessed on your state’s transportation department website. All drivers must be well-versed in basic traffic laws, as failure to abide by them will create dangerous driving situations and may result in a fine, penalty or suspension of your driver’s license. • • • • • • • • • • • It is important to look up basic driving rules and traffic laws in your driver’s manual in addition to working through this summary, as they are not identical in every state. Though most of the main traffic laws are the same, or similar, across the US. The Basic Speed Rule Many states – including Texas and California – have what is referred to as the “Basic Speed Law”. This law states that drivers must never exceed a Always remember that posted speed limits are based on “ideal” or normal conditions. If driving in bad weather, heavy traffic or some other hazardous situation, drivers must Prima facie speed limits Exceeding the speed limit is against the law. You must know the speed limit for the road you are driving on, even if there are no posted speed limit signs on the roadway. Each state has general, prima facie speed limits, which apply when there are no speed limit signs posted. Prima facie speed limits are determined by area and roadway type. Speed limits are very similar around the United States, though there are minor variations. We have i...

When making a left turn, always get in the left traffic lane first. Getty Images/iStockphoto Q: I was taught, and the driver’s guide says, that when you’re turning left or right, you’re supposed to “turn into the lane closest to the one you came from,” and, “once you have completed your turn, you can change to another lane if you need to.” Is that just good advice, or is it the law? In my view it is often not followed by drivers. A: How many times have you been hanging out with friends, and someone says, “You know what I think would be great? Including references to the legal code in the Much of the Driver Guide is based on what’s written in the Revised Code of Washington, reworded to be understandable to non-lawyers. But the guide also contains advice that, while not legally required, will make you a safer driver. For example, the guide gives the following instructions: ▪ Do not drive in another vehicle’s blind spot. ▪ Look well down the road, at least 15 seconds. No doubt, these are good practices, but they’re not the law. I’ve said before that following the law doesn’t make you a good driver; the law is the bare minimum requirement. A good driver engages in many other smart (but not legally required) practices to be safe. I’ll give you a tip about the driver guide though. Section 3, titled ‘Rules of the Road’ is just that. It’s a safe bet (but not a guarantee) that what you find in that section comes When turning left, for example, approach the turn in the left-most ava...