7 Most Misunderstood Right-of-Way Rules in Canadian Intersections

There’s a particular kind of silent tension that hangs in the air at a busy Canadian intersection. You inch your car forward, eyes darting between vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists. Who goes first? You pause. They pause. Then both move forward, and it’s too late. A honk shatters the moment.

Well, it’s not that drivers are reckless; it’s just that a lot of people aren’t clear on how right-of-way rules actually work in those tricky moments. And misinterpreting who has the legal right to proceed at an intersection is one of the leading causes of preventable accidents.

Canadian Intersections

It might surprise you to know that nearly 30% of traffic fatalities and 40% of serious injuries in urban areas happen at intersections. That’s a huge portion of preventable crashes, all tied to something as basic (and as misunderstood) as who goes first.

In this article, we’re spotlighting the 7 most misunderstood right-of-way rules in Canadian intersections, breaking them down into plain language with added insights, so you’re not left guessing in the heat of the moment.

7 Right-of-Way Rules Every Canadian Driver Should Know

1. Who Goes First at a “2-Way” Stop?

The 2-way stop sign can feel deceptively simple, but this is where many misunderstandings bloom. Drivers often assume that if they’re the first to stop, they’re automatically allowed to proceed. That’s not always the case.

Here’s how it actually works.

At a 2-way stop, only two directions of traffic have a stop sign. The drivers facing the stop signs have to stop, and the traffic on the cross street keeps moving. That means vehicles on the main road have the right-of-way. If you’re the one at the stop sign, you need to wait not just for cars on the continuing (through) road to pass but also for any pedestrians or cyclists crossing in front of you along their path.

Now, between the two stopped vehicles, who goes first? The first vehicle to come to a complete stop. If both stop simultaneously, the vehicle on the right has the right-of-way.

  1. Figuring Out the Order at a 4-Way/All-Way Stop

At a 4-way stop, all directions face a stop sign, so no one has an automatic priority like at a 2-way or T-intersection. Every driver must come to a full stop. If you arrive first, you go first, but if multiple vehicles arrive at the same time, then drivers take turns based on a set of right-of-way rules.

  • Rule #1: The driver on the left must yield to the one on the right.
  • Rule #2: If the driver is turning left, they have to wait for any cars going straight or turning right from the opposite direction before they make their turn.

Quick Example to Make It Clear

Let’s say:

  • Car A (north), Car B (east), Car C (south), and Car D (west) arrive.
  • Car B and Car C arrive at exactly the same time.
    • Car C (on the left) yields to Car B (on the right).
  • Then Car C goes.
  • Cars A and D wait their turn based on their arrival time.

Well, what happens if four cars arrive at once? That’s a smart and practical question. You might be thinking, “If everyone yields to their right, nobody moves, right? Or, if everyone is supposed to yield to the person on their right, how does the order actually get decided?

In real-life traffic, that doesn’t actually happen.

When three or four cars arrive at the same time (rare but possible), it might feel awkward for a second, but it doesn’t turn into a gridlock. Drivers use eye contact, turn signals, and hand waves to communicate. One moves, and the rest follow.

3. Merging at T-Intersections

A T-intersection is where one road comes to an end and meets another road straight on, forming the shape of a T. At T-intersections, confusion can arise about who yields, because these intersections may sometimes look like 3-way stops, but they’re not.

Here, the general rule across Canada is simple. If you’re on the road that ends (the “bottom” of the T), you have to yield to all traffic (and any pedestrians) on the main road to pass before you go, unless signs say otherwise. In other words, it’s all about letting the flow of traffic continue smoothly on the continuing (through) road.

4. Timing of Left Turns at Intersections

This one gets everyone. You’re waiting to turn left at a green light. The light’s still green, but there’s oncoming traffic. Should you wait?

Yes.

You must yield the right-of-way to all oncoming traffic and pedestrians before turning left, even at a green light. The only time you’re legally protected to turn is during a left-turn green arrow, which gives you the exclusive right-of-way.

5. Pedestrians Always Have the Right of Way? Not Exactly

It’s a widespread belief that pedestrians always have the right of way. After all, they are on foot, not on wheels. Well, in reality, pedestrian priority depends on where and how they’re crossing.

In marked crosswalks, intersections, and when crossing with the light, yes, they absolutely have the right of way. However, stepping out mid-block without warning or trying to cross a high-speed rural road? In those situations, pedestrians must yield.

Here’s a stat that is hard to ignore. According to ICBC (Insurance Corporation of British Columbia), over 2,300 pedestrian injuries occur annually in the province, many at unmarked crossings. The takeaway? Both drivers and pedestrians have responsibilities. Context matters.

6. Emergency Vehicle Approaches at an Intersection!

Did you know that more than 300 crashes involving at least one emergency vehicle happened in Alberta every year between 2004 and 2007? Even though these incidents make up only a small fraction of total collisions, they underline how crucial it is to yield and be alert when emergency responders are on the move.

Fast forward to this year, there’s another striking stat. Nearly half of all emergency vehicle crashes in Canada happen at intersections, according to a 2025 report on Emergency Vehicle Statistics. The point is, despite clear legal requirements to yield, too many drivers either don’t notice emergency vehicles or aren’t sure how to safely give them space, making it that much harder (and more dangerous) for ambulances, fire trucks, and police to reach emergencies.

Building on that, in the context of right-of-way, it seems obvious to make way for emergency vehicles. Well, not likely, because intersections present unique challenges.

Let’s consider the situation. You’re already in the middle of the intersection when you hear sirens. What will you do? Whatever comes to your mind, just remember, do not reverse or swerve unpredictably.

Here’s what’s recommended:

  • If you haven’t entered the intersection, stay put and yield.
  • If you’re turning or moving through, clear the intersection quickly and safely, then pull over.

7. The Left Lane Isn’t Always the Fast Lane

Okay, this one’s more of a misunderstanding about flow than strict intersection rules, but it directly affects merging and lane-switching at multi-lane intersections.

Too often, drivers assume the left lane is for speeding past others or making snap turns. However, legally, the left lane is for passing, not cruising. In provinces like Alberta and Ontario, staying in the left lane when you’re not passing can actually get you a ticket.

So, when you’re approaching an intersection with multiple lanes, it’s important to pick the right lane ahead of time. That way, merging goes more smoothly, and everyone knows what to expect, making traffic flow a lot safer and easier for everyone.

Final Thoughts

To conclude, no driver gets behind the wheel hoping to make a mistake, but at intersections, small misunderstandings can lead to serious consequences. That is why understanding right-of-way rules is more than memorizing laws for a test. It’s about staying safe, confident, and in sync with everyone else on the road.

If you’ve ever second-guessed your move at an intersection, you’re not alone, but you don’t have to stay unsure either.

Whether you’re preparing for your Canadian knowledge driving test or just refreshing your road skills, getting a handle on right-of-way, particularly right-of-way at a 2-way stop, is a smart investment in your safety.

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