Intersections are among the most dangerous areas on the road. These are areas where cyclists, people strolling, and vehicles all converge, thereby increasing the likelihood of accidents. The risk of accidents can be reduced by following proper road etiquette at intersections. This article discusses these etiquettes in detail.
Essential Etiquettes at Intersections
Increased traffic, bad visibility, and reckless driving are responsible for accidents at certain intersections. The following etiquettes should be followed whenever you approach an intersection.
- Slow Down: You should always slow down when approaching an intersection. This gives you more time to react to possible hazards, including pedestrians, bikers, or other vehicles that might not have followed regulations.
- Always Stop Fully at Stop Signs: Although a rolling stop seems harmless, it greatly increases the likelihood of an accident. You have to always stop and look both ways before continuing at stop signs.
- Give Way to Cyclists and Pedestrians: At intersections, pedestrians always have the right of way. Cyclists should be treated like regular vehicle drivers and given sufficient space to cross the intersection.
- Use Turn Signals Properly: By signaling, you let pedestrians and other drivers know what you intend to do. Before you approach an intersection, always use your turn signals, whether your turn is left, right, or even changing lanes.
- Stay in the Right Lane: Entering other lanes without proper signaling might lead to collisions. Make sure you are in the correct lane for the turn you intend to make before you reach the junction. Avoid sudden lane changes.
- Look for Blind Spots: Trucks, SUVs, and other large vehicles can obscure your view at intersections. Be especially careful when approaching an intersection next to or behind a large car since they might obscure your view of traffic approaching from the other direction.
Right-of-Way Rules
Knowing and following right-of-way rules can prevent most accidents at intersections. Here are the rules you should know.
- At a Four-Way Stop: The first car arriving at a four-way stop has the right of way. Should two cars arrive simultaneously, the one on the right should go first.
- Turning Left: You have to always give way to approaching traffic when turning left. This is the reason accidents happen most of the time, especially in cases when drivers fail to properly check the speed or distance of approaching vehicles.
- Roundabouts: When you get near a roundabout, let vehicles already in the circle pass. Try not to rush through or push your way in.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Mistakes that are easy to avoid usually cause some accidents at intersections. Here are some mistakes you must avoid:
- Running Red Lights: Driving this way is among the riskiest driving habits. You should always stop if the light is red. Should it turn yellow, you should not try to hurry. Running a red light is one of the main reasons for side-impact or T-bone crashes, which often lead to death.
- Blocking the Intersection: Steer clear of crossing an intersection if a line of cars runs across the other side. When the light changes, you might find yourself in the middle, which could cause traffic congestion or perhaps an accident.
Special Considerations for Pedestrians and Cyclists
Cyclists and pedestrians are vulnerable, particularly at intersections. When you’re turning, carefully look out for them. Remember that those walking always have the right of way at intersections. Ignoring cyclists or failing to check your blind spots for them can cause serious accidents.
For cyclists, intersections can be challenging since they must contend with both people on foot and vehicles. Those riding bikes should abide by the same traffic laws as those in vehicles. They should, for instance, pause at red lights and indicate their turns. Drivers should constantly be on the lookout for cyclists and allow plenty of space for their safe crossing of intersections.
