Intersections

Intersections are places where a number of road users cross paths. There is often a lot of activity at intersections, so it’s important to communicate with other motorists by signalling your intentions.

Intersections can be controlled or uncontrolled. Controlled intersections use traffic lights, yield signs or stop signs to control traffic. Uncontrolled intersections don't have traffic lights and are usually found in less busy areas.

Roundabouts - At a roundabout, you must yield the right-of-way to vehicles already in the circle.

Yield signs - When crossing an intersection with a yield sign, you should slow down or stop if necessary and wait until the way is clear before proceeding. You should yield to pedestrians, cyclists, or other vehicles that have the right-of-way.

Never change lanes at an intersection. A crosswalk is also considered an intersection. Do not pass a vehicle that is stopped at a crosswalk.

Stay in your lane while turning through an intersection

Stops Signs

Right Of Way

Having the right of way means you are allowed to proceed before other drivers at the intersection. If you do not have the right of way, you must yield the right of way. At an intersection with stop signs at all corners, you must yield the right-of-way to the first vehicle to come to a complete stop. If two vehicles stop at the same time, the vehicle on the right has the right-of-way. There are also rules about where you position your vehicle when you have to stop at an intersection. If there is a stop line, stop just before the line. If there is a crosswalk, stop just before the crosswalk.

Sometimes stop signs will be blocked by trees or bushes. This is why it's very important to be familiar with any area that you drive in.

Intersections With Traffic Lights

A controlled intersection has traffic signs or traffic lights to tell road users what to do when they arrive at the intersection. At a controlled intersection with traffic lights, you must follow the signals and signs. At a controlled intersection with stop signs or yield signs, you must follow the signs and yield to other vehicles or pedestrians.

Driving For Beginners - Intersections And Right Of Way

Green Lights

Left turns on solid green lights

You have to yield to the vehicles driving straight through the intersection when waiting to turn left on a solid green light.
Left turns on solid green lights can be dangerous so take your time.
When making a left turn, do not turn your wheels to the left until you are sure you can complete the turn. A collision from behind could push your vehicle into oncoming traffic. Keep your wheels straight.

SOLID GREEN - You can turn left on a solid green light but yield the right-of-way to oncoming traffic driving straight through the intersection.

FLASHING GREEN - You have the right-of-way to turn left right or continue straight.

GREEN ARROW - You have the right of way in the direction of the arrow. Vehicles going straight in the opposite direction and pedestrians must yield the right of way.

Red Lights

STEADY RED LIGHT

STEADY RED - Unless a sign states otherwise, drivers can turn right after stopping, but they must yield the right of way to any vehicles and pedestrians who are facing the green light. Drivers can turn right after stopping, but they must yield the right of way to any vehicles and pedestrians who are facing the green light.

FLASHING RED - A flashing red light should be treated like a stop sign.

Yellow Lights

STEADY YELLOW - Be prepared to stop. A steady yellow light means the traffic signal is about to turn red.

FLASHING YELLOW - Drive with caution and only stop if you have to. Stop for a yellow light unless you're too close to the intersection to stop safely. Never speed up for a yellow light.

Yellow lights and committing

Yellow lights are hard to judge at first but a good practice is to imagine any solid green light that you're approaching is going to turn yellow. Anticipate the change and ask yourself where you think the point of no return or commitment point is. You can also use the solid white line which is painted between the lanes at the intersection to judge where your commitment point is. This line indicates that drivers shouldn't change lanes at an intersection and it's a perfect tool to use in order to figure out when to commit. If you are at or close to the speed limit then when you reach the start of this line you will most times be able to proceed through the light. Don't just make it a policy to stop every time. One of my students was practicing and stopped for a yellow light that she shouldn't have stopped for. Then she got stuck in the intersection after the light went red and a road rage incident took place. Be confident.

A yellow light is a warning that the light will be changing to red. Drivers must not enter the intersection when the light is yellow, but if it's not safe to stop they should continue through the intersection. If a driver is already in the intersection, they must clear the intersection when the light turns red and all other traffic has stopped. There are a number of ways that a driver can read traffic lights as they approach an intersection which can help with figuring out if the light will turn yellow or not. One way to do this is to watch the pedestrian light because most times it will begin to countdown on it. Most times when the countdown finishes, the lights will turn yellow but not in all cases.

Intersection tips

Never trust anyone’s signal light. Wait until the vehicle actually slows down.
If you make a mistake at an intersection, just wave and smile.
Always scan an intersection from left to right as you approach to ensure that no one is running a red light. This is extremely important.
The first vehicle in line waiting to turn left on a solid green light should be in the intersection.
Hold the steering wheel straight so that if you get rear ended you won't be pushed into oncoming traffic.
Stay in the lane you chose before the intersection because it's illegal and super dangerous to change lanes at or near an intersection.

SIGNS

Roundabouts

At first roundabouts seem confusing and intimidating but they are actually quite simple if you follow the basic rules.

How To Yield

Always approach yields at a safe speed in case you have to stop for other vehicles or pedestrians. Watch for traffic that you may have to yield to while approaching the yield. If there are no cars or pedestrians in the lane you want to merge into then you don't have to yield. Approaching the yield at a reduced speed ensures that you could stop easily.

Choose the correct lane for your destination before entering and stay in that lane while in a roundabout.
Yield to any pedestrians approaching the crosswalk.
Yield to vehicles that are already in the roundabout.
Don’t change lanes or stop in a roundabout.

In Nova Scotia you only have to signal when exiting a roundabout but most times it's better not to as most drivers don't signal while exiting. That's because in some cases it can cause confusion, especially if it's a two lane roundabout. Signalling in a roundabout is also somewhat dangerous and distracting because your steering wheel will constantly be cancelling your signal light which is distracting and could cause you to lose control or miss other hazards like pedestrians in the crosswalk as you exit.

How To Drive In Roundabouts

Tips From The Nova Scotia Driver's Handbook

Intersection Right of Way

When two facing vehicles approach an intersection at the same time, both drivers can move straight ahead or turn right. If one driver is going straight while the other wants to turn left, the driver who wants to turn left must yield the right of way and wait until the turn can be made safely.

Regardless of the "right of way" you feel you have, always be 100 per cent ready to yield to any oncoming vehicles when approaching an intersection if it will avoid a collision.

At intersections without traffic signals, pedestrians have the right of way.

At intersections controlled by traffic signals, pedestrians must obey the same signals as drivers traveling in the same direction. Pedestrians should not start to cross during a red or yellow signal.

When crossing with a green signal, pedestrians have the right of way over all vehicles, including those turning across the paths of the pedestrians.

If you are moving through an intersection with a green signal, make sure you look in all directions to make sure all pedestrians have finished crossing.

If a traffic signal changes to yellow or red while a pedestrian remains in the street, you must allow the pedestrian to complete the crossing safely.

At some intersections, special signals instruct pedestrians either to "Walk" or "Don't Walk." When these signals are operating, pedestrians must obey them rather than regular traffic signals. Pedestrians crossing with the "Walk" signal have the right of way just as they do while crossing with a green light.

Traffic Signal Lights

Traffic signal lights control vehicle and pedestrian traffic at some intersections. You must yield the right of way to pedestrians in the crosswalk. You must also yield to other vehicles in the intersection or those approaching so closely as to be an immediate hazard.

For vehicles turning left at a solid green signal light, you must yield the right of way to oncoming vehicles and any pedestrians that may be in your path.

A yellow or amber signal light means that you must stop before entering the intersection, if you can stop safely.

A red signal light means that all traffic facing this signal must stop at the place marked or at the nearest side of the crosswalk.

If the traffic signal lights are not working, treat the intersection as a multi-stop. Come to a full stop, then proceed when you have the right of way and it is safe to do so.

Stop for a yellow signal unless you are too close to the intersection to stop safely. In that case, drive cautiously through the intersection. Never speed up for a yellow signal to "beat" the red signal.

Unless there is a sign showing "no turn on red," you may turn right on red after stopping and making sure that you can turn safely.

It is illegal to make a left turn on a red light, except for left turns at a red light from a one-way street to another one-way street.

Arrow Signals

Arrow signal lights control turning at some intersections. When facing a green signal light and a green arrow, turning traffic is controlled by the arrow signals and through traffic is controlled by the green signal lights.

A green arrow means that you can turn in the direction of the arrow and proceed through the intersection.

A yellow arrow means that you should stop, unless you are too close to the intersection to stop safely. In that case, drive cautiously through the intersection.

Flashing Signal Lights

A flashing red signal has the same meaning as the stop sign: Stop and do not go until you can enter the intersection without interfering with approaching traffic.

The flashing yellow or amber signal has the same meaning as a warning sign: Slow down and proceed with caution.

Vehicle Signals

Your vehicle must be equipped with signal lights that are working properly and a horn that is in good working order. Before starting, stopping, or turning, check to see that you can do so safely. Use your signal lights to show your driving intentions to other vehicles. Signalling does not give you the right of way. You must make sure the way is clear and safe.