Arizona · Handbook chapter 6 · 5 min read

Chapter 6: Right-of-way, turns and speed limits

Who yields at T and uncontrolled intersections, pedestrians and pedestrian-activated signals, emergency vehicles and the Move Over law, school buses, Arizona's default speed limits, turning rules and METRO light rail.

Why this chapter matters

The law does not give anyone the right-of-way; it says who must yield, and no one may take the right-of-way if a crash could result. These rules, along with Arizona's default speed limits, make up a large share of the test.

Intersections

• T intersection: the driver on the road that ends yields to traffic on the through road.
• Controlled intersections: obey signals and signs, stop at the stop line, and still check for traffic and pedestrians.
• Uncontrolled or dark-signal intersections: treat as a four-way stop; the driver on the left yields to the driver on the right.
• Left turns: yield to oncoming vehicles, bicycles and pedestrians.
• U-turns: allowed when safe, legal by signs and not interfering with traffic.
• Alleys and driveways: stop before the sidewalk and yield to pedestrians and vehicles.

Pedestrians

• Yield to pedestrians in any marked or unmarked crosswalk, even on green.
• Stop completely at a school crossing whenever anyone is in the crosswalk.
• You may not pass a vehicle stopped for a pedestrian, even with a clear lane or a green light.

Pedestrian-activated signals

Emergency vehicles

• When one approaches with siren or lights, pull to the right and stop until it passes.
• Stay at least 500 feet behind a fire vehicle and 300 feet behind a police vehicle answering an emergency.
• Do not drive into or park in the block where an emergency vehicle has stopped.
• Move Over law: when passing any vehicle stopped with flashing lights, including police, tow trucks, highway crews and private cars, move over one lane; if you cannot, slow down and use caution.
• Yield to a funeral procession led by an escort flashing a red or blue light.

School buses

When a school bus shows flashing lights and its stop arm, stop before reaching it from either direction and stay stopped until it moves or the signals stop. The only exception is traffic going the other way on a divided roadway separated by a physical barrier such as a fence, curb or separated pavement. Painted stripes alone are not a divider.

Red light running

A red light conviction means mandatory Traffic Survival School and points on your record. Causing a crash with life-threatening injuries can bring a fine of up to $500 and a 3-month suspension; causing a death, up to $1,000 and a 6-month suspension.

Speed limits

When no limit is posted:

Limits assume good conditions, so slow down for rain, snow and ice and double your following distance in bad weather. Driving too slowly is also dangerous: keep right and let faster traffic pass.

Turning

• Signal, slow down and check for pedestrians, mopeds and bicycles.
• Right turns: stay close to the right curb. Turning right on red requires a full stop before the crosswalk and yielding to everyone; watch for NO TURN ON RED.
• Left turns, two-way to two-way: approach just right of the center line, turn just left of the intersection's center and enter just right of the center line.
• Left turn on red is allowed only from a one-way road onto a one-way road, after stopping and yielding.
• Two-way left turn lane: bordered by a solid yellow outer line and broken yellow inner line. Signal, move completely in, and use it only to turn left, never to pass, drive through or speed up to merge.
• On a one-way street for several blocks, the center lane avoids turning traffic.

METRO light rail

• Cross the tracks only from designated, signal-controlled turn lanes, and never stop or park on them.
• A red arrow means do not turn.
• Trains are quiet: watch for flashing headlights and listen for bells and horns.
• White headlights mean a train is coming; red taillights mean it is going away.