right-of-way

traffic management

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The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

July 13, 2026

Quick Summary

In traffic management, "right-of-way" refers to the legal right of one vehicle or pedestrian to proceed before another. This concept is crucial for maintaining order and preventing collisions on roads.12

Key aspects of right-of-way include:
* Precedence: It dictates which road user has priority in situations like intersections or when merging.12
* Rules of the Road: These are legal guidelines that govern movement, including rules about yielding to traffic on the right in many countries, though stop and yield signs are often used in practice.2
* Legal Right: It can also refer to the physical land area designated for roads, railroads, or utilities.1

Understanding and adhering to right-of-way rules is essential for safe and efficient traffic flow.2

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

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road
Legal control
…most countries drivers must give right-of-way to vehicles on their right. However, in practice the stop and yield (or give-way) signs have commonly supplanted the right-of-way rule. Speed limits vary greatly with jurisdiction, ranging from walking pace in a Dutch woonerf, or “shared” street, to unrestricted on a German autobahn.…
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…most countries drivers must give right-of-way to vehicles on their right. However, in practice the stop and yield (or give-way) signs have commonly supplanted the right-of-way rule. Speed limits vary greatly with jurisdiction, ranging from walking pace in a Dutch woonerf, or “shared” street, to unrestricted on a German autobahn.…
Read More