RIGHT OF WAY

DEFINITION
The right of one vehicle or pedestrian to proceed in a lawful manner on a highway in preference to another vehicle or pedestrian.

EMERGENCY VEHICLES
The primary vehicles that have the right of way are designated emergency vehicles, designated by the state, displaying a special tag. Police, ambulance and fire vehicles are in this group.

PERMITTED TO DISOBEY LAWS 21-106
A driver of an emergency vehicle need not abide by the speed limitations, right-of-way stopping, rules of the road, traffic control devices or signal lights when responding to an emergency call if using his audible and visual signals. The exception is that emergency police vehicles need not be equipped with or display a visual signal.

DRIVER PROTECTED EXCEPT FOR NEGLIGENCE 21-405 (b), 21-106 (d)
However, this provision does not relieve the emergency vehicle driver from his duty to drive with due regard for the safety of all persons using the streets or highways. This section does not protect the emergency vehicle driver from any of the consequences of a reckless disregard for the safety of others. The law may protect that driver up to a point of negligence.

STOPPING FOR EMERGENCY VEHICLES 21-405
Upon the immediate approach of an authorized emergency vehicle making use of an audible and visual signal (meeting the requirements of section 22-218) or of a police vehicle properly and lawfully making use of an audible signal, the driver of every other vehicle shall yield the right-of-way and shall immediately drive to a position parallel to either edge of curb, of the roadway clear of an intersection and shall stop and remain in this position until the authorized emergency vehicle has passed, except when otherwise directed by a police officer.

PASSING AN EMERGENCY OR POLICE VEHICLE 21-405(d)
A driver, when proceeding in the same direction as an emergency or police vehicle, may not pass an emergency vehicle using audible and visual signals, or a police vehicle lawfully using an audible signal unless:
The emergency vehicle has stopped; or
Otherwise directed by a police officer.
Upon conviction, two points will be assessed to the driving record.

LEFT TURN 21-402 (a)
The driver of a vehicle making a left turn within an intersection shall yield the right-of-way to any vehicle approaching from the opposite direction.

ENTERING A HIGHWAY OR STREET 21-403 (a) (b) (c), 21-707 (a), 25-109, 21-204 (a) (b)
A driver of a vehicle shall come to a full stop and shall yield the right-of-way to other vehicles approaching on the through highway before entering a designated through highway or street, which has erected at the point of entry to the street or highway either a stop sign or flashing red signal light.

PRIVATE DRIVEWAY 21-404, 21-705 (b)
A driver of a vehicle entering a public highway from a private driveway, alley, or building shall come to a full stop and yield to the traffic already on the paved public highway or street.

UNCONTROLLED INTERSECTION 21-401
At an intersection where there are no controls present, and two or more vehicles arrive at approximately the same time, vehicles approaching the intersection from the left shall give the right-of-way to those vehicles approaching from the right. (The vehicle on the right has the right of way.)

The same rule would hold true if an intersection were regulated with stop signs for each line of traffic.

VEHICLE ARRIVING FIRST
The vehicle that arrives at the intersection first would have the right-of-way.

VEHICLES LAWFULLY WITHIN THE INTERSECTION
The vehicle lawfully within the intersection shall have the right to proceed first.

IF THERE IS DOUBT
If there is any doubt as to who has the right-of-way, let the other vehicle proceed first.