Sunday, 26 May 2013

Who has right of way?

Since the recent event in Norfolk when a cyclist was struck by a car and flung into a hedge. The driver didn't stop. The cyclist  emerged from the hedge, sore but intact. A young woman tweeted: "Definitely knocked a cyclist off his bike earlier. I have right of way - he doesn't even pay road tax! #Bloodycyclists."

This made me wonder who dose have right of way on the road? Dose the car have right of way over the bike? I then found an article on an official website called safemotorist.com which says,

"The law gives the right of way to no one, but it does state who must yield the right of way. Every driver, motorcyclist, moped rider, bicyclist, and pedestrian must do everything possible to avoid a crash. When you yield the right of way to another vehicle, you are letting them go before you in the traffic situation. Few areas of traffic safety are more misunderstood than the “Yield to the Driver on the Right” rule. This is the rule that controls most intersections when drivers arrive at an intersection simultaneously.

For instance, you come upon a stop sign at the same time as another driver in a cross street and he is on your right. You yield the right of way to that driver by letting him go first. If you reach an uncontrolled intersection at close to the same time, the vehicle who actually reached the intersection last is the driver who must yield the right of way. If you reach the intersection at the same time, the driver on the left should yield the right of way.

Pedestrians must always be yielded the right of way at intersections and crosswalks. Bicycles, since they are considered “vehicles,” are subject to the same rules as other drivers; they are not always granted the right of way. When turning left at an intersection, you must yield to oncoming traffic.

The driver should never assume that other drivers will start or complete any maneuver and should never insist on the right of way nor attempt to force their way into traffic. Drivers should try to anticipate other driver’s actions as well as yielding whenever needed or required by law. Giving up the right of way to other drivers also helps to avoid crashes, as does gaining eye contact with all operators of motor vehicles that come directly into conflict with you. Drivers should attempt to be both courteous and conscientious toward other drivers."

This means that who ever tells others that drives a vehicle, they have right of way is wrong. Even if they are a driving instructor. Road Tax or none you do not have right of way until given to you.

No comments:

Post a Comment

Please comment