Right of way, turns and intersections in Maine

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 legal right turn on red.
• You can enter, drive and leave a roundabout or rotary correctly.
• You can position your car for left and right turns.
• You can yield properly to pedestrians, bicyclists and emergency vehicles.

What you need to know and understand

• At a four-way stop the first vehicle to stop goes first. If two arrive together, the driver on the left yields to the driver on the right.
• At an uncontrolled intersection, yield to a vehicle that arrives at about the same time from your right.
• A driver turning left yields to oncoming traffic going straight, including bicyclists and roller skiers.
• Right turn on red is allowed after a full stop unless a sign forbids it, and you must yield to pedestrians and traffic.
• Vehicles entering a roundabout or rotary yield to traffic already in it, and travel counterclockwise.
• Drivers coming out of a driveway or private road yield to everyone on the public road and stop before the sidewalk.
• Signal at least 100 feet before you turn or change lanes.

Who yields at Maine intersections

• Vehicles already in the intersection go first.
• Drivers on an entrance ramp yield to traffic already on the interstate.
• When an emergency vehicle approaches with siren and flashing lights, pull to the right, clear of the intersection, and stop until it passes. Failing to do so is a crime.
• Yield to pedestrians in marked or unmarked crosswalks, and always to school children crossing.
• If your view is blocked within 50 feet of an uncontrolled intersection, slow to 15 mph.

Turning step by step

1. Check mirrors and your blind spot, then signal at least 100 feet ahead.
2. Move into the correct position: for a right turn, keep close to the right curb; for a left turn, get next to the center line, or the left curb on a one-way street.
3. Slow down before the turn, not during it.
4. For a left turn, wait with your wheels pointed straight until there is a safe gap, so a rear-end crash cannot push you into oncoming traffic.
5. Turn into the nearest matching lane: the leftmost lane after a left turn, the rightmost after a right turn.
6. Change lanes only after the turn is complete and the way is clear.

Roundabouts and rotaries

Slow down as you approach, yield to vehicles already circulating, and enter to the right, traveling counterclockwise around the center island. In larger rotaries, yield to vehicles on your left. If you plan to exit within the next two exits, the manual suggests using the rightmost lane unless signs or markings say otherwise. Signal right before your exit.

If you miss your turn at an intersection, carry on and come back another way. Last-second changes cause crashes.

Common mistakes

• Turning your wheels left while waiting to turn. Keep them straight until you go.
• Rolling through a right on red without a full stop or without checking for walkers.
• Assuming an oncoming driver's turn signal means they will turn. Wait until they actually do.
• Stopping inside a roundabout to let someone in. Keep moving and yield only at the entry.

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

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

Go deeper

• Avoiding Moose and Deer Collisions in Maine
• Learning to Drive in Maine
• Maine 70 Hour Driving Log