Uncontrolled intersection

An uncontrolled intersection is a road intersection where no traffic lights, road markings or signs are used to indicate the right-of-way. They are found in either residential neighborhoods or in rural areas. While the intersection itself is unmarked, warning signs or lights may be present to alert drivers to it.

Uncontrolled T-intersection

At an uncontrolled T-intersection (3-way intersection), right-of-way rules differ from country to country. In Australia, the United Kingdom, New Zealand[1] and most of the United States (really just California as is cited),[2] traffic on the terminating road must give way (yield) to traffic on the continuing road. In Germany,[3] traffic generally has to give way to traffic on the right at an uncontrolled intersection, whether it is a 3-way intersection or not.

Uncontrolled 4-way intersection

An uncontrolled intersection in suburban Melbourne, Australia

At uncontrolled 4-way intersections, the common rules are

  • give way to traffic approaching from the passenger's side (i.e. from the right in countries that drive on the right-hand side, rule known as priority to the right, and vice versa)
    • however, this may be the opposite depending on the local laws
  • turning traffic with crossing paths usually gives way to traffic driving straight through in the opposite direction
  • drivers opposite one another and both turning in their same direction, e.g. both drivers turning to their right (in countries that drive on the right-hand side), do not need to give way to one another as their paths will not cross.

Common practice dictates that drivers will treat the intersection as if they have a give way (yield) sign and look both directions for cross-traffic to avoid any accidents with motorists who did not recognize or did not follow the uncontrolled intersection rule.

References

  1. "New Zealand give way rules". 2014-07-27. Retrieved 19 March 2018.
  2. "Laws and Rules of the Road". California Driver Handbook. Sacramento, California: California Department of Motor Vehicles. Retrieved August 24, 2022. At "T" intersections without 'STOP' or 'YIELD' signs, yield to traffic and pedestrians on the through road. They have the right-of-way.
  3. https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/stvo/__8.html - in German - Federal Ministry of Justice (Germany) - de:Straßenverkehrs-Ordnung (Deutschland): Vorfahrt - (German) Road Traffic Order: Right-of-way - Section 8 - Retrieved on September 20, 2012
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