[CA state] Approaching intersection with no STOP signs ?

Dimo J

For cross traffic: whoever enters the intersection first the others are legally required to yield to them.

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21800. (a) The driver of a vehicle approaching an intersection shall yield the right-of-way to any vehicle which has entered the intersection from a different highway.
(b) (1) When two vehicles enter an intersection from different highways at the same time, the driver of the vehicle on the left shall yield the right-of-way to the vehicle on his or her immediate right, except that the driver of any vehicle on a terminating highway shall yield the right-of-way to any vehicle on the intersecting continuing highway.
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For your left turn:

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21801. (a) The driver of a vehicle intending to turn to the left or to complete a U-turn upon a highway, or to turn left into public or private property, or an alley, shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles approaching from the opposite direction which are close enough to constitute a hazard at any time during the turning movement, and shall continue to yield the right-of-way to the approaching vehicles until the left turn or U-turn can be made with reasonable safety.
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If in doubt, remember the basic law: two objects cannot occupy the same space at the same time -- do not try to do so. This law covers your left turn question -- do not pull out in front of them as you will be t-boned, mashed, crashed, and otherwise have your journey interrupted.

As for the stopping creeping out into intersection: if you do not have a left turn lane you have to watch your butt so you do not get rear ended. I have a left onto my home street. I watch the approaching traffic far ahead and time my approach to the intersection so that I do not have to stop. At certain times I avoid that intersection and take a longer route tthat utilizes all right turns.

As for watching for incoming. I watch ALL incoming, from driveways to signal controlled highway crossings. Stop signs and red lights are mere suggestions -- I do not expect them to actually stop vehicles. I check the wrong direction for people driving on the wrong side of the road. Every five seconds I am doing a 360 degree scan of who is around me and what they are doing. I am watching ahead as far as is visible, usually a half mile or so city. I ride a motorcycle, I am 62, I get hit and I'll splatter. In 46 years they ain't hit me yet.

Sage

At a four-way intersection the first person who gets to the intersection would go first. If both parties get there at the same time the person on the right would go first. If one party is turning left they would wait until the other party went first before completing their turn.
I always look for Stop signs to avoid accidents. You have to drive defensively.

Inundated in SF

Always look for stop signs, yours-his-theirs, and don't automatically assume that just because the other guy has a stop sign, that he's going to stop (drive defensively and be prepared to deal with a moron who doesn't stop).

When coming to an intersection and there's no stop signs or lights, it usually is whoever got there first gets to go first--but again, look at the other drives and see what they intend to do because there are often morons who think they own the road so they get to go first no matter what. Don't stop and hesitate because that indicates you are giving someone else the right of way, just don't assume anything.

And anyone going straight always has the right of way, the driver who has to turn across possible oncoming traffic has to let the oncoming go through first (if your turn may interfere with their oncoming). If you don't block traffic making your turn, then as long as there aren't any pedestrians or other things blocking your way, you can turn since other traffic won't be blocked.

All of this is in the CA driver's manual.

kelly_f_1999

intersection with no STOP signs ive not seen any i can think of so id have to say you just keep driving go first means one would have to have a light or a sign if one has to stop to let someone go but i guess you should always yyield

Morpheus

In my state - at an unmarked intersection - the guy on your RIGHT has the right of way. Keep that in the back of your mind and run it by a highway patrolman at some point.

afreeman20035252

As you approach the intersection, take a deep breath, close your eyes, say a prayer, then gun it as fast as you can through the intersection. The same strategy works when crossing railroad tracks too. Good luck!

Ted E

I don't.....jeez. I'm from Nebraska (the home of common sense), so, no don't know...your..problem. I look both ways when crossing a one-way street..so...you were drivn, huh? Probably not good, was it? Maybe pay your premium, no matter what it is now and be careful, now, eh?

dude

that is true

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