Some pedestrians and certain vehicles have priority over others in traffic. Which pedestrians or vehicles hold this right and under what circumstances are common questions on driving license exams. Beyond testing, these rules and priorities should be known by all citizens, whether or not they are drivers.
Right of Way, Priority
Certain official vehicles have priority of way, provided that other drivers do not endanger lives or property. These vehicles include:
- Emergency response vehicles such as fire engines (provided they display a red rotating or flashing light),
- Vehicles used for transporting patients or injured persons and for providing first aid in emergencies, and other vehicles carrying emergency or injured patients (provided they display a red or blue rotating or flashing light),
- Traffic service vehicles traveling to accident scenes to take control of incidents or to protect traffic safety (provided they display blue and red or only blue rotating or flashing lights),
- Municipal enforcement or duty vehicles pursuing suspects or responding to incidents for public safety (provided they display blue and red or only blue rotating or flashing lights),
- Civil defense vehicles, but only during alarms (provided they display a red rotating or flashing light),
- Vehicles responsible for road maintenance or construction that are clearing ice and snow in severe weather (provided they display a blue rotating or flashing light),
- Escort vehicles and the vehicles being escorted, for the duration of the escort (provided they display a blue rotating or flashing light).
When a vehicle with priority signals approaches, other drivers must make way on the roadway to allow it to pass easily. If necessary, drivers must stop and wait until the priority vehicle has passed.
Intersection Right of Way, Priority
At intersections without traffic signs, signal lights, or traffic officers, drivers must yield in the following situations:
- To trams that are proceeding straight,
- To vehicles on a roadway used by a tram when entering that roadway,
- To vehicles coming from a divided roadway when you are on the divided road,
- To vehicles on the main road when entering the main road from a side road,
- To vehicles already inside a roundabout when you are approaching the roundabout,
- To motorized vehicles when you are operating a non-motorized vehicle,
- To other motor vehicle drivers when you are operating wheeled machinery or a tractor with pneumatic tires,
- To vehicles going straight when you are making a turn,
- When two motor vehicles approach simultaneously, the vehicle on the left must yield to the vehicle coming from the right.
In addition, drivers approaching an intersection must yield to pedestrians crossing at designated crossing points, in accordance with the rules established for the intersection’s entry and exit areas.