Driving through intersections

Intersections with and without signs or lights, all-way stops, who yields to whom, and pedestrian crossovers.

Driving through intersections

• At a pedestrian crossover you must yield and wait until pedestrians have completely crossed the road and are safely on the sidewalk.
• When two vehicles stop at an all-way stop at the same time, the vehicle on the left yields to the vehicle on the right.
• Signalling only tells others what you plan to do; it does not give you the right-of-way. Check that the way is clear before you move.
• Vehicle size does not matter. When two vehicles stop at the same time, the one on the left yields to the one on the right, but make sure the truck is actually yielding before you move.
• At an all-way stop, the first vehicle to come to a complete stop goes first. Yielding to the vehicle on the right applies only when two vehicles stop at the same time.
• A green light does not let you block an intersection. If traffic ahead blocks it, stop before entering and wait until the traffic ahead moves.
• At an all-way stop, the first vehicle to stop goes first. If two vehicles stop at the same time, the driver on the left yields to the driver on the right.
• A yield sign means you must give the right-of-way to traffic in the intersection or on the intersecting road.
• When two vehicles stop at the same time, the vehicle on the left yields to the one on the right, so you may go first. Still make sure the way is clear before you move.
• At an intersection with no signs or lights, yield to a vehicle that arrives first. If two arrive at the same time, the driver on the left yields to the vehicle on the right.
• At an all-way stop, you must yield the right-of-way to the first vehicle that comes to a complete stop.
• When entering a road from a private road or driveway, you must yield to vehicles on the road and to pedestrians on the sidewalk.
• A green light lets you turn left only after you yield to approaching traffic and to pedestrians in or approaching your path.
• A yield sign means you must let traffic on the road you are entering go first, stopping if necessary. Go only when the way is clear.
• When you enter a road from a private road or driveway, such as a parking lot exit, you must yield to pedestrians on the sidewalk and to vehicles on the road.
• Stopping does not give you the right-of-way. Enter the intersection only when the way is clear.
• At an all-way stop, the right-of-way goes to the first vehicle to come to a complete stop.
• When turning, you must yield to pedestrians who are in or approaching your path.
• If an intersection is blocked with traffic, stop before entering it and wait until there is room on the other side, so you do not block cross traffic.

Driving near pedestrian crossovers and school crossings

• These white triangles are yield-to-pedestrians lines at a crossover. Stop behind them and wait until the pedestrian has completely crossed the road.

Read this part of the official handbook on Ontario.ca →