Stop signs, yield signs, stop lights, roundabouts, and diverging diamonds are just some of the types of intersections that you will see on the road. In order to safely pass through different types of intersections, you must be familiar with them. Each type of intersection comes with it’s own nuances and rules.
How-to Decipher Different Types of Intersections: Driving Safety
Roundabouts
One of the different types of intersections is a roundabout. Roundabouts are fairly safe intersections. They have fewer possible collision points compared to a four-way stop. Keep in mind that in a roundabout, all traffic moves the same way – counterclockwise. Before entering a roundabout, make sure to yield to any oncoming traffic that is already in the circle.
Stop Signs
Stop signs can be at many different types of intersections. A stop sign can stop traffic coming from just one or multiple directions at an intersection. Once at a stop sign, make sure to come to a full and complete stop. A rolling stop could actually get you a ticket. Before proceeding, make sure to look both ways for traffic or pedestrians.
Stop signs also help to determine right-of-way. If there is already another vehicle stopped at the stop sign across the street from you when you come to the stop sign, you must let them proceed first. If two vehicles stop at an intersection at the same time, the driver that is turning left must wait fort the vehicle that is going straight or turning right.
Diverging Diamonds
Diverging Diamonds are one of the newest different types of intersections. They have fewer crash points than traditional intersections are supposed to be safer. This set up helps to reduce the possibility for a wrong way entry to the ramps. Additionally, pedestrian crossings are shorter distances. Also, it increases left turn lane capacity without needing more lanes to do so.
Yield
A yield sign can be at many different types of intersections. If you approach an intersection with a Yield sign, you have to give the right–of-way to others in the intersection, if they’re present. This includes vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists. At this intersection, slow the vehicle, do a thorough scan of the intersection, and give the right-of-way. You may proceed once the other users are out of the intersection.
Stop Lights
Stop lights are one of the most common out of the different types of intersections. A stop light consists of a green, a yellow and a red light. Red means stop, yellow means slow down, and green means go. Other arrows, or blinking arrows, indicate whether or not you can turn a certain direction at that time. Each state has it’s own rules about right-turn-on-red and other stop light laws.