Right of way, turns and intersections in Connecticut

By the end of this topic you can

• You can decide who goes first at four-way stops and uncontrolled intersections.
• You can make a left turn, a right turn on red and a U-turn legally and safely.
• You can enter, drive through and leave a roundabout correctly.
• You can respond correctly to an approaching emergency vehicle.

What you need to know and understand

• At a four-way stop, the first vehicle to stop goes first. If two arrive together, the vehicle on the right goes first.
• At an intersection with no signs or signals, yield to traffic coming from your right.
• When turning left, yield to oncoming traffic going straight.
• You may turn right on red after a full stop unless a sign forbids it, yielding to pedestrians and traffic.
• At a roundabout, yield to vehicles already circulating and to pedestrians in the crosswalk.
• Never make a U-turn on an expressway.
• Pedestrians with a white cane or guide dog always have the right of way.

Who goes first

• Four-way stop: first to stop, first to go. Arrive together? The car on the right goes first.
• No signs or lights: yield to the vehicle on your right.
• Pulling out of a driveway or side road: yield to traffic already on the main road.
• Turning left: wait for oncoming straight-ahead traffic to clear.
• Pedestrians in marked or unmarked crosswalks, and riders where a bike path crosses: always yield.
• Police directions override traffic lights.
• Do not enter an intersection unless you can get all the way through without stopping in it.

Turning on red and making U-turns

Connecticut lets you turn right on a red light once you have stopped completely, as long as no sign prohibits it and the way is clear. Look hard for pedestrians stepping off the curb.

U-turns are not legal everywhere, so look for signs banning them, and never try one on an expressway. Where a U-turn is allowed, signal left, stop, check traffic both ways, then turn into the right-hand lane going the other direction.

Getting through a roundabout

1. Slow down as you approach and pick the correct lane from the signs.
2. Yield to pedestrians in the crosswalk and to traffic already in the circle.
3. Enter when there is a safe gap and travel counterclockwise.
4. Do not stop inside the roundabout to let other cars in.
5. Signal right just before your exit, and watch for pedestrians as you leave.

Sirens and flashing lights

When an emergency vehicle approaches using a siren, air horn or red or blue flashing lights, pull to the right edge of the road and stop. If you are in an intersection, clear it first. Stay stopped until the vehicle passes, unless a police officer or firefighter tells you otherwise.

Common mistakes

• Waving other drivers through out of turn at a four-way stop. It confuses everyone. Follow the rule.
• Turning right on red without a full stop. A rolling turn fails the road test.
• Stopping inside a roundabout to let cars enter. Keep moving.
• Pulling over in the middle of an intersection for an ambulance. Clear the intersection first.

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

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

Go deeper

• Connecticut 8 Hour Safe Driving Practices Course
• CT Permit Test
• Connecticut Home Training and the 2 Hour Parent Class