What is a priority intersection?
An unequal intersection, also known as a priority intersection, is an intersection where the rules of priority are established by means of traffic signs, traffic signals or traffic lights. It may seem like a mouthful, but it is actually quite simple. It is a place where roads meet, but not everyone gets the same treatment. Here it is all about who gets the right of way and who has to wait. So, let’s take a closer look and go through the traffic signs and road markings that determine whether you have or have to give way.
Explanation via our Online Theory App😍
Example of priority intersection:
The priority signs at a priority intersection:
Priority sign 1:
When you come across this sign, also known as a priority road, it means that you have priority over all other drivers coming from the left and right. You are the king/queen of the intersection until you reach the end of this sign.
Priority sign 2:
If you come across this sign, also known as a priority intersection, it means that you have priority over all other drivers on the side roads coming from the left and right. You must remember that the driver on the thick line is the one who has priority. The thin lines are the other drivers and they must give priority to the driver on the thick line.
Note: Deflecting right-of-way/right-of-way intersection
Sometimes a priority intersection can change into a diverging priority road. In that case, these rules apply: drivers following the diverging priority road (thick line) have priority over drivers approaching the diverging priority road (thin line). And drivers leaving the diverging priority road also have priority over drivers approaching the diverging priority road.
Take one of our courses
Pass first time with our impressive 97% pass rate. 25,000+ successful candidates. Your driver’s license, your success story, starts here!
Priority sign 3:
If you see this sign that looks like shark teeth, you must yield to all drivers on the intersecting road. Think of it as a kind of “pause” to ensure everything runs safely.
Priority sign 4:
When you see this sign, now there is no discussion possible. You simply have to stop for all drivers on the intersecting road and wait until it is safe to proceed.
But who do the priority signs apply to?
All these priority rules apply only to drivers and not to pedestrians. If you see a stop sign or shark teeth and there are pedestrians nearby, you can forget about the priority signs and apply the priority rules that apply to pedestrians.
Example of priority intersection:
Answer: The driving school car goes first, because it is only on the priority road. Then the cyclist goes, because he is going straight on the same road as the motorcycle.