Intersections are where most crashes happen. Knowing who goes first, when to stop, and how to handle different intersection types keeps you safe.
Controlled Intersections
Controlled intersections have traffic signals, stop signs, or yield signs. Obey the signal or sign. At a red light, stop completely behind the stop line. At a stop sign, make a full stop and proceed only when safe. At a yield sign, slow down and give the right of way to traffic in the intersection or approaching from the right.
Uncontrolled Intersections
An uncontrolled intersection has no signals or signs. Treat it like a yield: slow down and be ready to stop. The general rule is "first to arrive, first to go." If two drivers arrive at the same time, the driver on the left yields to the driver on the right. Always look left-right-left before entering.
Four-Way Stops
At a four-way stop, the first driver to stop completely goes first. If two drivers stop at the same time, the driver on the left yields to the one on the right. If two drivers are facing each other and one is going straight while the other is turning left, the one going straight goes first.
T-Intersections and Roundabouts
At a T-intersection, the driver on the dead-end road (the stem of the T) must yield to traffic on the through road. In a roundabout (traffic circle), yield to traffic already in the circle. Enter when safe. Travel counterclockwise (to the right). Use your right signal when exiting.
Blocking Intersections
Never enter an intersection unless you can clear it completely. If traffic is backed up on the other side and you would get stuck in the middle, wait — even if the light is green. Blocking an intersection is illegal and creates gridlock.
Real World Examples
💡 You approach a four-way stop at the same time as another car on your right. You yield to them because they are on your right — the "yield to the right" rule.
💡 The light is green, but traffic is backed up through the intersection ahead. You wait behind the stop line even though your light is green. The light turns red and cross traffic can flow — you avoided blocking the intersection.
Common Mistakes
⚠ Rolling through stop signs instead of making a complete stop.
⚠ Entering an intersection on green when there's no room to clear it — causing gridlock.
⚠ Forgetting to look left-right-left before entering an uncontrolled intersection.
Key Takeaways
✔ At four-way stops: first to arrive goes first; if simultaneous, yield to the right.
✔ Never enter an intersection you cannot fully clear.
✔ At T-intersections, yield if you're on the dead-end road.
✔ In roundabouts, yield to traffic already circling and travel counterclockwise.
Vocabulary
controlled intersection
كنترولد إنترسكشن
تقاطع متحكم فيه — تقاطع فيه إشارات مرور أو علامات وقوف أو علامات أولوية توجه المرور
kun-TROLD in-ter-SEK-shun
uncontrolled intersection
أن كنترولد إنترسكشن
تقاطع غير متحكم فيه — تقاطع ما فيه إشارات أو علامات — استخدم قواعد أعطِ الأولوية لليمين وأول من يوصل
un-kun-TROLD in-ter-SEK-shun
roundabout
راوندأباوت
دوار — تقاطع دائري وين المرور يمشي عكس عقارب الساعة — أعطِ الأولوية للمرور الموجود في الدائرة
ROUND-uh-bout
gridlock
قردلوك
ازدحام مروري — زحمة تسببها سيارات تسد التقاطعات فما أحد يقدر يتحرك بأي اتجاه
GRID-lok
Test Your Knowledge
Question 1
Two drivers arrive at a four-way stop at the same time. Who goes first?