Questions and Answers for the UK drivers

Who has priority at an unmarked crossroads?

28/10/2013

At an unmarked crossroads no one has priority. If there are no road signs or markings do not assume that you have priority. Remember that other drivers may assume they have the right to go. No type of vehicle has priority but it’s courteous to give way to large vehicles. Also look out in particular for cyclists and motorcyclists.

29 Comments

Vinay Patel

6/1/2015 00:30:34

1 St Priority White Car
2 nd Priority Magenta Car
3 rd Priority Blue Car

zizi

14/11/2016 17:02:21

Gavin Wellman

15/5/2017 03:31:26

No Priority....Proceed with caution. White must give way to right (Magenta). Magenta must give way to right (Blue). Blue must give way to white as he is crossing it's path. Therefore everyone should be giving way to someone, so a stalemate has developed. Throw the rule book out the window for this one and hope for the best. ;)

Golfman

8/7/2018 16:39:19

R u stupid or is English not yr mother tongue.
!st priority White!!!!!!!! Then magenta, then blue.
The only thing STALE is yr brain MATE

Lilly

16/6/2020 07:50:41

In my country where we drive on other side in this case would be right hand law who ever is on your right had goes first.

Could we call here left had law as we drive here on the other side?? "

U.M.Premalal

1/3/2019 08:02:57

Sachin Frayne

19/1/2020 14:22:05

What if two of the roads have brick crossings but there are no other signs?

Jennifer Dillon link

31/7/2015 13:47:42

Crossing main road at crossroads One car going straight on from minor road to minor road, another car turning right from minor road onto main road. When main road is clear which of cars on minor roads has priority, the one going straight on or the car turning right?

Tony DW

22/8/2015 13:18:36

I was taught, many years ago now, that the vehicle going straight across the junction has priority over the vehicle turning on to the main road, but I cannot find such direction in the Highwapy Code.

Si bike learner

5/9/2015 03:51:14

Hi there my bike instructor claims traffic from the right has right of way similar to a roundabout but this was contradicted by another instructor later, it is not clear in the highway code either but it's safer everyone assuming no-one has right of way apparently.

sian

25/9/2016 16:46:12

Hi, I found this on the driving theory website as I had an altercation today where a driver wanted to cross in front of my path as I was going straight over.

Where differences do occur is when vehicles in the opposite side road need to cross your path or follow the same path. Who has priority in these examples is the same as if the two minor side roads were one major road. However do not assume that the other driver will comply.
Hope this helps.

Mad driver

20/8/2016 12:49:57

It is a shame in this country about this problem, it's really a problem. In my opinion it should be like, to give priority to the vehicle coming from the right.

Ols

4/2/2017 08:19:39

It is typically British. They haven't sort this out because it is sorted in almost every single country. So they can't do the same as the others. In 99% countries in you drive on a left had side the car on the left has a priority, if you drive on the right side, the cars from your right has a priority.... easy and simple

Peter link

8/9/2016 01:08:45

Nobody has priority crossing a Unmarked Cross Road....Clear for new roads....what happens if its an old road that's been altered due to Refurbishment....is it wise to have a period of adjustment

Tomtom

9/9/2016 14:22:56

I done me theory test and the question came up of who has priority in this situation. Answers given where, motorcycle, car, cyclists or large vehicles. Is this just a trick question?

Stu

29/5/2018 21:14:00

The answer is large vehicles.
They have priority but it's generally depending on if ppl know this which mostly they don't.

zizi

14/11/2016 17:05:33

No 2

Catherine Barker

17/12/2017 07:06:08

I want to know who has priority at a junction??

Mike

10/1/2018 22:46:20

Why is this "no priority" rule not in the Highway Code proper? What status do these Q&As have in terms of the law?

fetch

27/4/2020 23:23:54

It is in the Highway Code (at least the current at time of posting gov.uk version), but is well hidden and I can't blame anyone for not noticing it. Rule 146:
"(...) in side roads and country lanes look out for unmarked junctions where nobody has priority"
It really does seem like an afterthought honestly though.

Wojciech

25/2/2018 08:52:42

On the continent you would be giving the way to the wehicle on your right, hence the confusion. In UK most junctions have either signs or painted lines indicating priority. On this type of junction Higway Code states that no-one has priority. You will see this unmarked junction only on minor roads so perhaps that's why there's a fairly relaxed approach to priority .. do it English way-look around and be courteous :)

BIG STEVE

11/6/2018 15:00:36

Just everyone go at the same time see what happens

Phil

16/4/2019 19:47:59

I like Big Steve

Jacquie Robertson

18/6/2018 09:10:03

I was asking the question of what happens if the traffic lights are not working, the highway code says treat as an unmarked junction, which at the particular set of traffic lights i am referring to is ridiculous as it is near schools and very busy in all four directions in the morning and afternoon. In South Africa if traffic lights are out, it is treated like a four way stop, who gets their first, stops, and then has the right of way, which in my mind is much simpler, as everyone gets a turn to cross and is much quicker then people piling up behind you and then beeping starts etc. and it just becomes a bit of a nightmare!

JOHN MICHAEL

1/12/2018 11:25:12

How can the above all argue about priority when the rule is that there isn't any? It's not difficult. Stop, look, and sort it out, preferably using a little courtesy. Those people who think they have priority in a situation like this had better hope the opposing drivers agree with them. The common law position is that you must take the highway as you find it.

Michael Maynard

12/7/2019 14:50:57

Because there are no markings we should treat this as “shared” space. Therefore there is no priority the drivers themselves are left to decide their actions on the assumption that each of them wishes (a) to do no harm (b) not be harmed.

Personally I would proceed on the basis that that remaining stationary until it is clear what the other two drivers are doing will achieve both aims. If I am already in motion I find it is probably safer to continue at same speed and course so as not to confuse other drivers about my intention but may be ready for an immediate stop. I also assume that indicators mean what they say.

Taking the above situation - if I was driving white I would slow to assess what magenta is doing. I would be ready to give way to him since the general principle is to give way to the right. I would give no indication to blue that I would give way to him but be ready to stop immediately. If blue I would come to a halt and wait for both white and magenta clear the junction. If magenta I would do the same as white but assuming he would give way to me.

So, they order in which the car would clear the junction may well be magenta, white, blue. Any other order is also possible and provided no accident no problem no blame we all get on with our day.

13/9/2019 17:51:28

Surely you have a lesser priority if you are changing direction ie. turning right?!

MaxPrimal

1/10/2019 08:55:47

Insurers always settle on a split basis. No one has priority. Doesn't matter where you are turning or going.

Mike O

24/2/2020 19:27:50

Being from the continent, I find it absolutely terrifying that this is not sorted and that there seems to be so many conflicting opinions about what to do. Here you have to give way (there is no "priority") to traffic from the right (when no other signs/indications are present). Which actually falls in line with driving in the right hand side of the road and the oncoming traffic passes you on the left.

This would correspond to giving way to traffic from the left in the UK.

Who has priority at an unmarked crossroads?

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