Right of way, turns and intersections in New Brunswick

By the end of this topic you can

• You can decide who goes first at a three-way or four-way stop.
• You can stop in the correct place at a stop sign or red light.
• You can make a legal right turn on a red light.
• You can make a safe left turn across oncoming traffic.
• You can enter, drive in and leave a roundabout correctly.

What you need to know and understand

• Yield to any vehicle already in the intersection.
• If two vehicles reach a three-way or four-way stop at about the same time, yield to the driver on your right.
• When turning left, yield to oncoming traffic that is in the intersection or close enough to be a hazard.
• Unless a sign forbids it, you may turn right on a red light after a full stop, yielding to pedestrians and other traffic.
• A flashing red light means the same as a stop sign; a flashing amber light means slow down and take care.
• A flashing green light is an advance green, letting you turn left if it is safe.
• Signal at least 30 metres before you turn.
• Before entering a highway from a driveway or lane, yield to all approaching traffic and to pedestrians on the sidewalk.

Where to stop

At a stop sign or red light, stop in this order of preference:

• At the marked stop line.
• If there is no line, before the crosswalk, whether it is painted or not.
• If there is no crosswalk, at the edge of the intersection where you can see cross traffic.

Turning left without risk

1. Signal early and move into the correct lane well before the turn.
2. Stop if needed with your wheels pointing straight ahead. If you are hit from behind with your wheels turned left, you could be pushed into oncoming traffic.
3. Watch for oncoming vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists.
4. Turn when there is a safe gap, finishing in the nearest lane going your way.
5. On a two-way left-turn lane in the centre of the road, enter it close to where you will turn and wait for a gap. Never use it as a passing lane.

Roundabouts step by step

1. Slow down and choose your lane early using the signs and road arrows.
2. Yield to pedestrians and cyclists.
3. Yield to traffic already in the roundabout, in both lanes if it has two.
4. Enter when there is a safe gap and travel counter-clockwise.
5. Do not change lanes or stop inside the roundabout.
6. Signal right as you approach your exit.
7. Give large trucks plenty of room, and do not drive beside one inside the roundabout.

Common mistakes

• Rolling through a stop sign. A stop means the wheels stop completely.
• Waiting for a left turn with the wheels already turned. Keep them straight until you go.
• Turning right on red without a full stop, or where a No Right Turn on Red sign is posted.
• Changing lanes inside a multi-lane roundabout, or forgetting to signal on exit.
• Assuming the other driver will give way. Make eye contact and be ready to stop.

Test yourself: Right of way, turns and intersections in New Brunswick

Answer each question, then read the explanation. Questions come in a random order each time.

Go deeper

• Getting a Driver’s Licence in New Brunswick
• New Brunswick Demerit Points and Zero Tolerance for New Drivers
• New Brunswick Driver’s Handbook Study Guide