1.Stop signs and all-way stops
- You must come to a complete stop for all stop signs and red traffic lights. Stop at the stop line if it is marked on the pavement.
- If there is no stop line, stop at the crosswalk, marked or not. If there is no crosswalk, stop at the edge of the sidewalk. If there is no sidewalk, stop at the edge of the intersection.
- At a controlled intersection where you face a stop sign, come to a complete stop and drive through the intersection only when the way is clear.
- At an intersection with stop signs at all corners, you must yield the right-of-way to the first vehicle to come to a complete stop.
- If two vehicles stop at the same time, the vehicle on the left must yield to the vehicle on the right.
- You must come to a complete stop at a flashing red light and move through the intersection only when it is safe. Failing to obey a stop sign, traffic light or railway crossing signal adds 3 demerit points.
Signs in this section
Official source: Stopping ↗ · Driving through intersections ↗ · Traffic lights ↗ · Understanding demerit points ↗
2.Who has the right-of-way
- At an intersection without signs or lights, you must yield the right-of-way to a vehicle approaching the intersection before you, and if you arrive at the same time, the vehicle approaching from the right has the right-of-way.
- A yield sign means you must slow down or stop if necessary and yield the right-of-way to traffic in the intersection or on the intersecting road.
- When entering a road from a private road or driveway, you must yield to vehicles on the road and pedestrians on the sidewalk.
- At any intersection where you want to turn left or right, you must yield the right-of-way. Turning left, wait for approaching traffic to pass or turn and for pedestrians in or approaching your path to cross; turning right, wait for pedestrians to cross if they are in or approaching your path.
- During an electrical power loss, traffic lights will not work. Yield the right-of-way to vehicles in the intersection and to vehicles entering the intersection from your right, go cautiously, and use the intersection the same way you would use an intersection with all-way stop signs.
- Signalling does not give you the right-of-way — you must make sure the way is clear. Failing to yield the right-of-way adds 3 demerit points.
Signs in this section
Official source: Driving through intersections ↗ · Traffic lights ↗ · Understanding demerit points ↗
3.Turning left and right
- To turn a corner, signal well before the turn. When the way is clear, move into the proper lane — the far right lane for a right turn or the far left lane in your direction for a left turn — then look from side to side and check your blind spots.
- Unless signs or pavement markings tell you not to, always begin and end a right turn close to the right side of the road. Check your right rear blind spot and let cyclists, limited-speed motorcycles or moped riders go through the intersection before you turn.
- Unless signs or pavement markings tell you not to, always begin and end a left turn in the far left lane in your direction. Turning from a two-way road onto a two-way road, turn from the lane closest to the centre line to the lane right of the centre line.
- A white arrow painted on a lane means you may move only in the direction of the arrow. Lane-use signs above the road or on the pavement before an intersection also tell drivers the direction they must travel.
- Unless a sign tells you not to, you may make a right turn facing a red light as long as you first come to a complete stop and wait until the way is clear. Remember to signal your turn and yield to pedestrians and others using the road.
- You may turn left from a one-way road to a one-way road on a red light after coming to a complete stop and making sure the way is clear. Yield to pedestrians and traffic.
- An improper right turn, an improper left turn, a prohibited turn and failing to signal each add 2 demerit points.
Signs in this section
Official source: Changing directions ↗ · Pavement markings ↗ · Signs ↗ · Understanding demerit points ↗
4.U-turns and signalling
- Before you make a U-turn, check to make sure there is no sign saying not to.
- It is illegal to make a U-turn on a curve in the road, on or near a railway crossing or hilltop, or near a bridge or tunnel that blocks your view.
- Never make a U-turn unless you can see at least 150 metres in both directions.
- To make a U-turn, signal for a right turn, check your mirror and over your shoulder and pull over to the right side of the road. Stop. Signal a left turn and, when traffic is clear in both directions, move forward and turn quickly and sharply into the opposite lane.
- Use your turn signals and brake lights to signal before stopping, slowing down, turning, changing lanes, leaving the road or moving out from a parked position. Give the correct signal well before taking the action.
- Before you turn a corner, back up, change lanes or turn around, always check your mirrors and over your shoulder to make sure the way is clear and you have enough space to complete the move safely.
- If your turn signals and brake lights are not working, use hand and arm signals. After signalling, move only when it is safe to do so.
Signs in this section
Official source: Changing directions ↗ · Driving along ↗
5.Pedestrians at crosswalks, crossovers and school crossings
- You must yield the right-of-way and wait for pedestrians to completely cross the road at pedestrian crossovers and school crossings with crossing guards.
- Drivers, including cyclists, must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians in a crossover, and only when pedestrians and school crossing guards have crossed and are safely on the sidewalk can they proceed. Failing to stop at a pedestrian crossover adds 4 demerit points.
- You must not pass any vehicle within 30 metres of a pedestrian crossover.
- Where a school-crossing guard displays a red and white stop sign, you must stop before reaching the crossing and remain stopped until all people, including the guard, have cleared the entire roadway. Drivers who do not follow the stopping requirements may receive a substantial fine and get three demerit points.
- A pedestrian facing a walk signal may cross the road in the direction of the signal. While crossing, pedestrians have the right-of-way over all vehicles.
- Seniors or pedestrians with disabilities need extra caution and courtesy from drivers, as they may be slow in crossing the road. Pedestrians who are blind or with a visual disability may use a white cane or guide dog.
- Many more people get hit by cars turning left than by cars turning right, because the driver is busy negotiating the intersection while the street-crosser is looking straight ahead.
Signs in this section
Official source: Driving through intersections ↗ · Stopping ↗ · Understanding demerit points ↗ · Pedestrian signals ↗ · Sharing road other road users ↗
6.Roundabouts
- As you approach the roundabout, look for signage to choose your exit. Use the left lane to turn left or to go straight, and the right lane to turn right or to go straight. Do not enter a roundabout from the right lane if you want to turn left.
- Slow down and watch for pedestrians on the approach to the yield line at the entrance of the roundabout. Stay in your lane.
- Traffic in the roundabout has the right-of-way. When preparing to enter, pay special attention to the vehicles to your left, and adjust your speed or stop at the yield sign if necessary.
- Enter when there is an adequate gap in the circulating traffic flow. Do not enter directly beside another vehicle already in the roundabout, as it may be exiting at the next exit.
- Once in the roundabout, always keep to the right of the central island and travel in a counter-clockwise direction. Do not change lanes while in the roundabout, and do not stop except to avoid a collision.
- Once you have passed the exit before the one you want, use your right-turn signal. Be sure to signal your exit and watch for pedestrians.
- Allow extra room alongside large vehicles such as trucks and buses. Large vehicles may have to swing wide on the approach or within the roundabout.
Signs in this section
Official source: Changing directions ↗