Right of way, turns and intersections in Northwest Territories

By the end of this topic you can

• You can stop in the right place at a stop sign, with or without markings.
• You can decide who goes first at four-way stops and uncontrolled intersections.
• You can enter, drive in and leave a traffic circle correctly.
• You can make legal right and left turns, including turns on a red light where allowed.

What you need to know and understand

• With no stop line or crosswalk, stop within three metres of the intersecting road.
• At a four-way stop, the first vehicle to arrive normally goes first; if two arrive together, the vehicle on the right goes first.
• At an uncontrolled intersection, yield to the vehicle on your right.
• In a traffic circle, traffic entering yields to traffic already in the circle; use your right signal to leave.
• You may turn right on a red light after a full stop unless a sign prohibits it.
• You may turn left on red from a one-way street onto a one-way street after a full stop unless a sign prohibits it.
• Be in your proper turning lane at least 15 metres before the intersection.
• Parking lots have uncontrolled intersections unless a sign regulates them.

Stop signs, yield signs and four-way stops

At a stop sign, come to a full stop at the stop line. If there is no line, stop before the marked crosswalk. If there is neither, stop within three metres of the cross road without blocking pedestrians. Look carefully, then go only when it is safe. You must also stop before entering a main street from an alley, driveway or parking lot, and before any sidewalk crossing.

A yield sign means slow down and be ready to stop for traffic or pedestrians. If nobody needs to be yielded to, you may continue without stopping. At a four-way stop everyone stops; courtesy lets the first car to arrive go first, and the car on the right goes first if two arrive together.

Traffic circles

• Traffic entering the circle yields to traffic already in it.
• Use the right-hand lane if you plan to leave at the first exit.
• The left-hand lane is recommended if you are going to the second exit or beyond.
• Signal right before you leave, and take care crossing the outer lane.
• Watch for marked crosswalks at the entries and exits.

Turning safely

Never turn left on red from a two-way road onto a one-way road. The deeper NWT Driver's Manual study guide covers dual-lane turns and U-turn rules.

1. Check mirrors, shoulder check, signal and move into the correct lane at least 15 metres before the intersection.
2. For a right turn, keep close to the right curb and shoulder check right for cyclists before turning.
3. For a left turn, keep just right of the centre line with your wheels straight while you wait, so a rear-end hit cannot push you into oncoming traffic.
4. Yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians, then turn into the matching lane without swinging wide.
5. Finish the turn in the proper lane and cancel your signal if it does not switch off by itself.

Common mistakes

• Stopping beyond the stop line or past the crosswalk. Stop at the line, or before the crosswalk.
• Turning the wheels left while waiting to turn left. Keep them straight until you start the turn.
• Insisting on the right of way when another driver does not yield. Give way to avoid the collision.
• Blocking the intersection in slow traffic. Wait until there is room to clear it completely.
• Forgetting to signal right when leaving a traffic circle.

Test yourself: Right of way, turns and intersections in Northwest Territories

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

Go deeper

• How to Get a Driver’s Licence in the NWT
• NWT Driver’s Manual Study Guide