An uncontrolled intersection is a
road intersection
An intersection or an at-grade junction is a junction where two or more roads converge, diverge, meet or cross at the same height, as opposed to an interchange, which uses bridges or tunnels to separate different roads. Major intersections a ...
where no
traffic lights
Traffic lights, traffic signals, or stoplights – known also as robots in South Africa are signalling devices positioned at road intersections, pedestrian crossings, and other locations in order to control flows of traffic.
Traffic light ...
,
road markings or
signs are used to indicate the
right-of-way
Right of way is the legal right, established by grant from a landowner or long usage (i.e. by prescription), to pass along a specific route through property belonging to another.
A similar ''right of access'' also exists on land held by a gov ...
. They are found in either residential neighborhoods or in rural areas. While the intersection itself is unmarked, warning signs or lights may be present to alert drivers to it.
Uncontrolled T-intersection
At an uncontrolled
T-intersection (3-way intersection),
right-of-way
Right of way is the legal right, established by grant from a landowner or long usage (i.e. by prescription), to pass along a specific route through property belonging to another.
A similar ''right of access'' also exists on land held by a gov ...
rules differ from country to country. In
Australia
Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a Sovereign state, sovereign country comprising the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous List of islands of Australia, sma ...
, the
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Europe, off the north-western coast of the continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotland, Wales and North ...
,
New Zealand
New Zealand ( mi, Aotearoa ) is an island country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. It consists of two main landmasses—the North Island () and the South Island ()—and over 700 smaller islands. It is the sixth-largest island count ...
and most of the
United States
The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territorie ...
, traffic on the terminating road must
give way (yield) to traffic on the continuing road. In
Germany
Germany,, officially the Federal Republic of Germany, is a country in Central Europe. It is the second most populous country in Europe after Russia, and the most populous member state of the European Union. Germany is situated betwe ...
,
https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/stvo/__8.html - in German - Federal Ministry of Justice (Germany)
The Federal Ministry of Justice (german: Bundesministerium der Justiz, ), abbreviated BMJ, is a German Cabinet, cabinet-level ministry of the Federal Republic of Germany. Under the German federal system, individual States of Germany, States are m ...
- :de:Straßenverkehrs-Ordnung (Deutschland): Vorfahrt - (German) Road Traffic Order: Right-of-way
Right of way is the legal right, established by grant from a landowner or long usage (i.e. by prescription), to pass along a specific route through property belonging to another.
A similar ''right of access'' also exists on land held by a gov ...
- Section 8 - Retrieved on September 20, 2012 traffic generally has to give way to traffic on the right at an uncontrolled intersection, whether it is a 3-way intersection or not.
Uncontrolled 4-way intersection
At uncontrolled 4-way intersections the common rules are
* give way to traffic approaching from the passenger's side (i.e. from the right in countries that drive on the right-hand side, rule known as priority to the right
Priority to the right is a right-of-way system, in which the driver of a vehicle is required to give way to vehicles approaching from the right at intersections. The system is stipulated in Article 18.4.a of the Vienna Convention on Road Traffic fo ...
, and vice versa)
**however, this may be the opposite depending on the local laws
* turning traffic with crossing paths usually gives way to traffic driving straight through in the opposite direction
* drivers opposite one another and both turning in their same direction, e.g. both drivers turning to their right (in countries that drive on the right-hand side), do not need to give way to one another as their paths will not cross.
Common practice dictates that drivers will treat the intersection as if they have a give way (yield) sign and look both directions for cross-traffic to avoid any accidents with motorists who did not recognize or did not follow the uncontrolled intersection rule.
References
{{Reflist
Road infrastructure
Road junction types