What Does Right-Of-Way Mean?
Right-of-way is the legal right pedestrians or vehicles have to go first in specific traffic situations, such as when approaching an intersection or turning into oncoming traffic.
If you have the right-of-way, other road users must legally yield to you, but you must still drive carefully to avoid collisions. If you don’t have the right-of-way, you need to let other drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians go first – this is called yielding the right-of-way.
Generally, right-of-way rules give precedence to pedestrians and oncoming traffic, but there are exceptions to that rule, such as when there’s an emergency vehicle passing.
Right-Of-Way Rules in Ontario
Right-of-way rules can be confusing, and failing to follow them could result in a fine or even a car accident.
Let’s look at the basic rules for right-of-way in Ontario:
- Base rule: At stop-controlled intersections, the vehicle that comes to a complete stop first has the right-of-way.
- Farthest right goes first: If the first rule doesn’t apply – for example, when drivers arrive at the same time – the person on the right has the right-of-way.
- When turning left, you must yield to vehicles approaching from the opposite direction that are going straight or turning right.
- Yield if in doubt: If you drive up to an intersection and are unsure who goes first, always yield the right-of-way.
Now, let’s go over the right-of-way road rules in Ontario for specific traffic situations.
When Must I Yield the Right-Of-Way?
You must yield the right of way in these situations:
- When pedestrians are waiting at a crossing
- When an emergency vehicle is passing
- When turning left (yield to pedestrians and oncoming traffic)
- When there’s oncoming traffic
- When a car is in an intersection
Who Has Right-Of-Way at Construction Sites?
In a construction zone, the cars on the road have the right-of-way, but there will be construction signs and possibly personnel directing traffic. Always make sure to drive slowly and pay attention to any instructions they give you.
What Do I Do if There’s No Power at an Intersection?
When there’s no power at an intersection, you should treat it as a four-way stop. That means the car that arrives first drives first. If you and another car arrive at the same time, always yield to the car on your right.
What Do I Do When Sharing the Road With Horses?
Horses and carriages have the same right-of-way rules as pedestrians. So, you must always yield when a horse rider is crossing the road. If the horse rider is on the road but continuing straight, you can pass. Just keep in mind that horses are easily startled by loud noises and sudden movements, so slow down and drive carefully.
Benefits of Right-Of-Way Rules
Right-of-way rules can be tricky to master. But they’re important for everyone’s safety, and they have many benefits. Those benefits are:
- Safer pedestrians
- Reduced traffic jams, accidents, and road rage
- Lower likelihood of conviction in an accident (because you followed the rules)
- Easier to drive defensively (you can anticipate what other drivers will do)
Common Mistakes With Right-Of-Way in Ontario
- Not stopping fully at stop signs
- Not giving pedestrians the right-of-way
- Not giving emergency vehicles the right-of-way
- Not giving bicycles the right-of-way
- Not giving cars in roundabouts the right-of-way
Penalty for Not Following Right-Of-Way Rules in Ontario
If you fail to follow right-of-way rules in Ontario, there are some penalties involved:
- A typical fail-to-yield ticket in Ontario carries a $110 fine and three demerit points, though penalties may vary depending on the situation.
- You’ll get three demerit points on your license.
- It’ll stay on your insurance record for three years.
- Your insurance rates will likely increase.
How Breaking the Right-Of-Way Rules Affects Your Insurance Rates in Ontario
How your insurance rates are affected depends on your insurance provider. Some companies will only look for past driving accidents, but others will be more thorough and examine your entire driving record.
Insurance premiums are usually affected by traffic convictions and accidents; demerit points themselves are primarily used by the government to monitor driver behaviour. Demerits significantly affect the rates of your car insurance in Ontario – in the worst case, they could even result in the insurer refusing to insure you.
Key Advice from MyChoice
- Yield when you’re unsure who has the right-of-way. Even if you believe you have priority, yielding can help prevent collisions and costly insurance claims.
- Be especially cautious when turning left or entering traffic. These situations are among the most common causes of right-of-way violations and accidents.
- Understand how traffic convictions affect insurance. A fail-to-yield ticket can remain on your driving record for several years and may lead to higher premiums.