Right of way, turns and intersections in Alabama

By the end of this topic you can

• You can decide who goes first at a four-way stop and an uncontrolled intersection.
• You can make legal right and left turns on red in Alabama.
• You can position your car correctly for turns from multi-lane roads.
• You can enter, drive and leave a roundabout safely.
• You can yield correctly to pedestrians, blind pedestrians and emergency vehicles.

What you need to know and understand

• At an uncontrolled intersection, the driver on the left yields to the vehicle on the right.
• If you enter an uncontrolled intersection at an unlawful speed, you lose any right of way you might have had.
• When turning left, yield to oncoming vehicles that are close enough to be a hazard.
• Drivers coming out of a private road or driveway must stop and yield to traffic on the public road.
• You may turn right on red after a full stop, unless a sign forbids it.
• Failure to yield right of way is a 5-point offense.

Four-way stops and dead signals

At a four-way stop, vehicles leave in the order they arrived. If two arrive at the same time, the vehicle furthest to the right goes first. Even when it is your turn, pause a few seconds, because other drivers do not always follow the rule. If a traffic light is not working at all, treat the intersection as a four-way stop.

Turning on red

After coming to a complete stop at a red light, you may turn right if you are in the proper lane. You may also turn left on red, after stopping, but only from a one-way street onto another one-way street with traffic moving to your left. In both cases yield to pedestrians and vehicles already moving through the intersection, and never turn where a NO TURN ON RED sign is posted. A green arrow lets you turn while opposing traffic is held, but you must still yield to anyone lawfully in the intersection.

Making a turn, step by step

1. Plan ahead and move into the correct lane well before the turn.
2. Signal at least 100 feet before turning.
3. Slow down and check for pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles in your path.
4. For a right turn from a four-lane road, keep tight and turn into the right lane of the new street.
5. For a left turn, turn from the lane nearest the center line and enter just to the right of the center line, without swinging wide.
6. Finish in the proper lane and make sure your signal has switched off.

Roundabouts and special yields

• Traffic in a roundabout moves counterclockwise. Yield to pedestrians and cyclists, then to traffic on your left already in the circle.
• Never turn left to enter a roundabout, never stop inside one unless to avoid a crash, and if you miss your exit, go around again.
• Stop for a blind pedestrian using a white cane with a red tip or a guide dog.
• When an emergency vehicle with a siren and red or blue lights approaches, pull to the side and stop. If you are in an intersection, clear it first.

Common mistakes

• Rolling through a stop sign before turning right on red. You must come to a complete stop first.
• Turning left in front of an oncoming motorcycle because you misjudged its speed. Look, then look again.
• Stopping inside a roundabout to let an emergency vehicle pass. Continue to your exit, then pull over.
• Swinging wide on a left turn and ending up in the wrong lane.

Test yourself: Right of way, turns and intersections in Alabama

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

Go deeper

• Alabama 50 Hours Driving
• Alabama GDL Law
• Alabama Hands-Free Law and Point System