In this situation, are you obliged to yield the right of way to the vehicle approaching from the left?
Show the correct answer
Correct answer
NO
Explanation
In the video, you are driving along a street in an estate of detached houses and approaching a junction where there are no signs setting right of way; a red car is parked on the right. You do not have to give way to the vehicle approaching from the left. The answer is: no.
The Road Traffic Act states that a driver approaching a junction is required to exercise particular caution and give way to a vehicle approaching from the right, and if turning left - also to a vehicle coming from the opposite direction. So at an uncontrolled junction of equal roads, without signs, the right-hand rule applies: you give way to whoever is coming from the right, and whoever is coming from the left gives way to you, because you are on their right. The exceptions are a rail vehicle, which has right of way whichever side it comes from, and an emergency vehicle (with flashing blue lights and a siren) using its signals. However, the principle of limited trust tells you to look to the left as well: the driver from the left may not know the rules, may not notice you behind the parked cars or may assume that they are on the main road. You approach an uncontrolled junction of equal roads at a speed that lets you stop for anyone who enters without giving way, and you check both sides.
Legal basis: Art. 25 para. 1 and 2 and Art. 4 of the Road Traffic Act (Prawo o ruchu drogowym)