Nebraska · Handbook chapter 7 · 5 min read

Chapter 7: Right-of-way and speed

Nebraska's keep-right rule, who yields at uncontrolled, yield, two-way and four-way stop intersections, roundabouts, the Move Over law, emergency vehicles, pedestrians, the default speed limits, and school and work zone fines.

Why this chapter matters

Most crashes at intersections come from someone failing to yield. Nebraska's default speed limits, from 20 mph in business districts to 75 mph on rural interstates, are favorite test questions.

Slower traffic keep right

If you are slower than normal traffic, drive in the right lane, or as close as practical to the right edge, except when passing or getting ready to turn left.

Who yields

• Uncontrolled intersection (no signs or signals), vehicles arriving at about the same time: yield to the vehicle on your right. A driver turning left yields to traffic coming straight from the other direction as well.
• YIELD sign: check for cross traffic early, yield to any vehicle close enough to cause a conflict, then merge into a gap and adjust your speed.
• Two-way stop: stop fully, look in all directions and wait until every conflicting pedestrian and vehicle has cleared.
• Four-way stop: everyone stops. By courtesy, the driver who stopped first goes first. If you are unsure, let the driver on your right go. Do not insist on the right-of-way.
• Leaving an alley, driveway or parking lot: stop before the sidewalk, then yield to pedestrians and approaching vehicles.
• Always obey a police officer directing traffic.

Roundabouts

Traffic moves counterclockwise around the center island.

• Slow to the posted advisory speed.
• Yield to pedestrians and cyclists in the crosswalk on the way in and out.
• Yield to traffic on your left already in the roundabout, and enter when there is a safe gap.
• Turn on your right signal as you approach your exit.
• The raised truck apron is only for the rear wheels of large trucks, not for cars, pickups, cyclists or pedestrians.
• In a two-lane roundabout, choose your lane before entering: the shared through/left lane to turn left, the shared through/right lane to turn right. Stay in your lane and avoid driving beside large trucks.
• If an emergency vehicle comes and you have not entered, pull over. If you are already in the roundabout, continue to your exit, pass the splitter island and then pull over. Avoid stopping inside the roundabout.

The Move Over law

On a multi-lane controlled-access highway, when you approach a stopped emergency, roadside assistance, utility, highway maintenance or garbage and recycling vehicle with flashing lights, move into a lane at least one lane away. If you cannot, slow down and keep a safe speed as you pass. Fines: up to $100 for a first offense; up to $500 and/or 7 days in jail after that.

If you have a minor crash on the interstate with no injuries and the cars can still be driven, move them to the nearest shoulder.

Emergency vehicles

When an emergency vehicle's siren or flashing lights are on:

• yield, and immediately pull over parallel to and as close as possible to the right edge of the road, clear of intersections, and stop
• stay stopped until it passes, and watch for others
• on a road divided by a median, traffic going the opposite direction need not stop

Never follow a fire truck on an emergency run closer than 500 feet, or drive or park in the block where it has stopped. Funeral escort vehicles with proper lights or sounds count as emergency vehicles, and you must yield to them.

Pedestrians

Yield to every pedestrian in a crosswalk and leave at least 3 feet when passing a pedestrian on the road. For someone using a white cane or guide dog, stop and stay stopped until they are well clear of the road.

Speed limits

Nebraska's basic rule is to drive at a speed that is reasonable and safe for conditions. Unless signs say otherwise:

Keep up with the flow of traffic, and do not drive so slowly that you block it.

Work and school zones

In work zones, driving slower or faster than surrounding traffic is a major cause of rear-end crashes. Keep a steady speed, move away from workers, do not brake suddenly and be ready to stop. In school zones, slow down, obey the signs and be ready to stop.

Fines double in school zones and in work zones when workers are present.