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Here is an intersection which always gives me trouble:

Image of an intersection

  • The usual continental European traffic rules apply;
  • There are two lanes which have right-of-way, one going towards the North-West, and one towards the South-East ;
  • There is a side-road coming in from the East (is a highway off-ramp, actually) and a side-road going to the West (a highway on-ramp)
  • In the picture, the light blue area cannot be used as it is a bus lane, but that is not important here.

If you have a car A driving along the red path, it may encounter heavy traffic on both NW and SE lanes. There is a little "stepstone island" in between the lanes so that you can proceed across the NW lane if it is free, then wait for the SE lane to clear.

While car A is waiting on the "stepstone", a car B initially on the NW lane may wish to turn to its left in order to proceed West, then also wait for the SE lane to clear.

Once the SE lane is clear, you have to decide which of A and B goes first. I am of the impression that it should be B as B is coming off the lan which has right-of-way but apparently opinions on this diverge, leading to hesitancy.

Is there an applicable rule to decide who goes first without having to resort to casting dice?

David Tonhofer
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1 Answers1

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Both cars have a give-way line to respect, but the one for car A is to give way to traffic approaching from its right, on the SE road which it is joining.

When there is a gap in the SE traffic, car A will get the benefit before car B anyway, so it will already be on the SE highway approaching B, when B has an opportunity to move.

Moreover, car B is crossing a major highway, and so has no priority at all.

So car A has priority over car B.

Additionally, the visibility for car B is better than for car A, because all the action is in car B's field of view. Car A, however, will be mainly focused on the traffic coming from its right, and has more difficult vision, needing to take note of car B in the opposite direction.

So for 'defensive' driving and road safety, car B should realise this, and give way.

The idea of 'casting dice' to decide is appalling. We don't make random decisions at the wheel, they must be based on taking a path that will guarantee to meet a clear road.

Weather Vane
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