Right-of-Way Rules on Mountain Roads: Navigating Steep Narrow Paths

Updated Oct. 12, 2020

Right-of-way rules help drivers to avoid conflict on all our nation’s roadways, even lesser-traveled mountain roads. You can assume that all standard right-of-way laws apply here, just as they would anywhere else. However, mountain driving can be treacherous and does require some extra consideration. As a result, there are a couple of additional right-of-way rules to learn which relate specifically to mountain and hill driving, which are outlined in this article.

Downhill-facing drivers must yield
Warning other motorists

Downhill-facing drivers must yield

If two vehicles traveling in opposite directions meet on a steep, single-lane mountain road, the driver facing downhill must yield to the driver facing uphill. In this situation, you must reverse carefully until the uphill-facing driver has enough room to pass safely. This right-of-way rule has been established as motorists generally have better control of their vehicles when reversing uphill, than when reversing downhill.

When driving downhill on a mountain road, you can avoid conflict and save yourself from backing up by stopping and yielding to oncoming vehicles at any point where the roadway narrows to a single lane. Remember this and keep a lookout for narrowed stretches of roadway ahead.

Warning other motorists

Right-of-way conflicts on narrow mountain roads can often be avoided, by using your horn or headlights to warn opposing traffic of your presence. In some states, tapping your horn at any point where you cannot see at least 200 feet ahead is a legal requirement. Be sure to check out local traffic laws in your state’s driving manual. Sounding your horn can be a useful precaution when tight curves and steep hills obscure your view of opposing traffic.

Activating your low beam headlights is another effective way to avoid conflicts and collisions on mountain roads. When your headlamps are on, opposing traffic will be able to see the light around blind curves and over hills. In California and several other states, keeping your headlights on while driving on mountain roads is mandatory. Even if when it is not legally required, leaving your headlights on in low-visibility environments is a smart move.

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Right-of-Way for Emergency Vehicles

The law states that emergency response vehicles should have right-of-way over all other road users, when sounding a siren or displaying flashing lights. In most cases, police cars, ambulances and fire engines will use both these devices to warn other motorists that they must yield.

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Right-of-Way for School Buses

Motorists have a responsibility to drive cautiously around school buses, whether the school bus has stopped by the roadside or is moving. The law in most states requires drivers to stop for stopped school buses which are displaying a “STOP” arm or flashing lights.

Right of Way Rules at Railroad Crossings

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Right-of-Way at Railroad Crossings

Failure to observe proper right-of-way rules around railroad crossings can result in devastating collisions and loss of life. Trains always have right-of-way over road vehicles at railway crossings – there are no exceptions. As a motorist, you must yield the right-of-way or risk paying for the violation with your life.

Review

Coordinating Traffic 2 of 2

Communicating With Other Drivers

All drivers must learn to communicate with other motorists effectively, in order to keep the flow of traffic moving in a smooth and orderly fashion. You cannot control another driver’s actions but if they communicate their intentions, you can adjust your driving behavior to avoid conflicts and disruptions.

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Right-of-Way Rules

When a driver has right-of-way, it means they currently have permission to pass over a section of roadway. Whenever two motorists wish to occupy the same section of roadway at the same time, right-of-way rules will determine who goes first. Understanding and respecting right-of-way is essential, as it allows road users to avoid conflicts which could impede traffic flow or cause a collision.

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Right-of-Way at Intersections

Drivers using an intersection must rely on right-of-way laws to determine who goes first. To choose a safe path through an intersection, motorists must understand right-of-way rules and learn to accurately judge the speed and location of other vehicles.

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Right-of-Way for Pedestrians

Conflicts between vehicles and pedestrians must be avoided at all costs. Remember that you must always yield to pedestrians on the roadway, even if you believe the lawful right-of-way is yours.

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Right-of-Way at Crosswalks

Pedestrian safety at crosswalks depends on motorists respecting their right-of-way, but that’s not where your responsibility as a driver ends. Remember that many pedestrians do not have the same knowledge of right-of-way laws as drivers. You must always stop for pedestrians crossing the road. This applies to unmarked crosswalks, marked crosswalks, crosswalks at uncontrolled intersections, mid-block crosswalks and crosswalks at intersections which are controlled by traffic lights.

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Right-of-Way at Roundabouts

Right-of-way conflicts are less common on roundabouts than they are at other intersections, as all traffic is moving in a counterclockwise direction and there are no left turns. The golden rule when it comes to roundabouts is that traffic approaching the intersection must yield the right-of-way to traffic already circling the center island.