It is irritating to see people violate traffic laws, especially because of the potential for injury. It suggests a serious disregard for the safety of others. Most of us are familiar with traffic laws, but here are a few that you may have forgotten:
- When two vehicles approach an uncontrolled intersection at approximately the same time, the vehicle on the left generally must yield to the vehicle on the right. At a t-intersection, the vehicle on the continuing street has the right of way.
- It is unlawful to overtake another vehicle anywhere within a school zone. This means you may not overtake another vehicle regardless of the number of lanes in your direction, even if that vehicle has stopped (waiting to turn left, for example).
- When a school bus is stopped, with its stop sign extended and lights flashing, drivers approaching it from either direction must stop until the bus begins to move or the sign is withdrawn and the lights discontinued.
- A driver may not drive through private property to avoid traffic lights or signs.
- No one may drive so slowly that he interferes with the normal and reasonable movement of traffic, except when it is necessary for safe driving or when the law otherwise requires it. Slow drivers also present an increased risk of accidents and injuries.
- When five or more vehicles are lined up behind a slow-moving vehicle on a two-lane highway, the slower vehicle generally must pull safely off the road. This allows cars to pass.
- Bicyclists generally must ride as close as practical to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway.
- Pedestrians have the right of way when crossing streets only when they are within marked or unmarked crosswalks.
- A vehicle that is being passed on the left by another vehicle may not increase speed until the overtaking vehicle is past.
- Don’t get caught trying to be the third one to turn left at a busy intersection. If you make it, you probably have run a red light; if you stop, you are probably blocking a crosswalk. You lose either way.
It may be more than a ticket and a fine for violating these laws. The consequences can be deadly. Be careful—and remember that not everyone will be.