When is it okay to assume the right of way

What appears to be a safe gap in traffic may not be if there is an oncoming motorcycle or a scooter. Bicycles can travel surprisingly fast. Drivers can easily underestimate their speed. Be careful not to cut them off when turning in front of them. Most motorcycle crashes happen at intersections. Before turning, or entering an intersection, have one more look to make sure there's no motorcycle or bicycle there. Motorcyclists and cyclists can be hidden by trucks and buses which are overtaking them.

Only move left or turn left from behind a large vehicle when you are sure the road is clear. When such a vehicle is turning, you must not pass on the left or right of the vehicle. If your vehicle comes between a large turning vehicle and the kerb, there is a likelihood of your vehicle getting crushed. Remember, long vehicles may use more than one lane when negotiating turns.

If the driver of the vehicle in front of you indicates that he is turning right, you may pass from his left. Remember not to cut in onto heavy vehicles. They need more room to slow down and stop. If you know that the vehicle behind you has begun to overtake you; if the driver ahead of you has not yet signalled his agreement that you pass him. If you cannot see for more than metres ahead, because of a hill or curve or if the road is narrowing, avoid overtaking. If a vehicle has stopped at a pedestrian crossing, intersection or railway crossing, do not overtake it.

In a multi-lane road, you must remember to give way to traffic already in the lane you are moving into. This creates confusion for the driver trying to overtake you. This does not increase your safety in any manner.

This is because speeds are higher, people and bicycles are difficult to see and other motorists or pedestrians may have been drinking. Drive slowly and you will be able to react better. At higher speeds, the stopping distance exceeds the seeing distance thereby causing accidents. The driver will not see the cattle in time to stopThe high beam is useful for extra seeing distance.

However, you must dip your headlights to low beam when an approaching vehicle is within m, or die other vehicle's headlights dip, whichever is sooner. Also dip your headlights when driving m or less behind another vehicle. Dip your lights when following other vehicles Remember not to use high beam in foggy conditions as your light reflects back, reducing visibility.

Also remember to use your dipper at night. If oncoming traffic does not dip its high beam, look to the left side of the road and drive towards the left of your lane. If you are dazzled, slow down or pull over until your eyes recover. Sometimes, unexpected things happen quickly. A driver can pull out of a side street without warning. A pedestrian can suddenly step out from behind a parked car. A truck can drop some of its load. A scooterist or motorcyclist could hit a pot-hole and fall off.

If you are travelling too fast, it may be difficult to avoid an accident. A truck suddenly pulls up in front. These calculations are based on ideal road conditions, good drivers and well-maintained cars. This may not be the case always. When you come to one of these intersections you must give way to vehicles travelling in the intersection on your right as marked below:. Red car has to give way to other oncoming vehiclesYou must also give way to the right at intersections where the lights have failed.

If yours and an oncoming vehicle are turning right at an intersection both cars should pass in front of each other. If the other drivers do not give way to you, do not commit the same mistake they are doing. You will need to come to a complete stop. Afterward, if there is an opening in the oncoming traffic, you can go. Red arrow : If there is a red arrow, you do not have the right of way, and you may not go—even after you come to a complete stop.

Ultimately, you need to be aware in every situation, even if you know you have the right of way. Green Light : If you are turning left and you have a green light, the oncoming traffic has the right of way, and you must yield. Many states allow you to creep forward into the intersection to wait for an opening in the traffic—but not all states. Watch the oncoming vehicles for an opening, and make sure there are no pedestrians before completing the turn.

Yellow Arrow : Oncoming traffic has the right of way. You may go when there is an opening. Red Arrow : You do not have the right of way, and you may not go at all—even if there is an opening in traffic. An uncontrolled intersection is not an intersection without rules. Rather, it is an intersection that is not electronically controlled, such as a 4-way stop.

Basically, whoever arrives at the intersection first has the right of way. Just make sure you come to a complete stop and know what other drivers might be doing. The vehicle on the right has the right of way. In other words, yield to the car on your right. Of course, this system breaks down pretty easily if one of the drivers forgets this rule. So wave the other driver through! Let them clear the intersection before you complete your turn.

Yield Signs : Again, we try to keep things simple. Once there is an opening, you are free to go. But again, remember to remain alert: someone might have accidentally left their blinker on and intend to continue in the roundabout.

You must always drive defensively! On-Ramps : Vehicles traveling on the freeway or highway have the right of way. You must get up to speed and merge into an opening. They should not have to slow down to accommodate you.

Blinkers are your friends here! If someone is merging incorrectly, move over or do your best to avoid an accident. Turning Left on a Straightaway : Most main roads have median lanes into which you can move your vehicle if you need to turn left off of a straightaway.

Move into the median, and yield the right of way to the oncoming traffic. Once there is an opening, you can complete your turn. If the property is strictly residential, easements do not affect property value in most cases.

In many situations, the easements are along the edges of the land and are only for utility management. Not every easement is included within property deeds. Some easements are recorded as part of public records. You can talk to a real estate lawyer to find out how, when, and whether an easement can be terminated.

If you don't find anything, walk around the property you plan to buy. Look for stormwater drains, tire tracks, evidence of someone else using the land, or any other signs that an easement might exist. You can also ask the title company to give you a copy of any easements it has.

Not every title company provides copies of recorded easements. Title companies are often only required to notify owners that an easement exists. Easements are also not covered by title insurance. In some cases, easements are excluded on Schedule B of your title policy commitment or preliminary title report.

In most cases, there is a note that includes where to find the documentation. Easements can be terminated in a variety of ways, but there are detailed legalities to doing it correctly. Sometimes it's as simple as dissolving an easement where the land in question has been abandoned.

In other cases, the process may be more complicated. If you want to terminate an easement on your property, it's a good idea to speak with a lawyer. Utility easements vary in size depending on the specific utilities running through the easement. A basic electric underground easement may only be 10 feet wide, while a sewer easement could be as much as 30 feet wide.

Check with your local utility provider for more information. Generally, you can build on easements as long as the building doesn't interfere with the purpose of the easement.

You may need to seek permission before building or even digging in a utility easement, though, so be sure you check with any interested parties to avoid any issues.

Expert Law. Donnie Sherwood. Accessed Mar. New York State Attorney General. Florida's Title Insurance Company. Get the Facts. Actively scan device characteristics for identification. Use precise geolocation data. Select personalised content. Create a personalised content profile. Measure ad performance. Select basic ads. Create a personalised ads profile. Select personalised ads. Apply market research to generate audience insights. Measure content performance. Develop and improve products.

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