B
Bodmin
Guest
After seeing yet another Brit biker having a "close call" because he wasn't aware of the "Right of Way" rules here in Germany (also used in most of Europe), I thought I'd post them here for your info.
Germany uses a system of "priority roads" (Vorfahrtstra?en) to assign right-of-way. Priority roads are marked with the
sign. Traffic on a priority road has the right-of-way ("priority") over other traffic at all intersections along the way. Intersecting streets will have a yield or stop sign. The Give Way sign (same as in UK, but without the wording) indicates that you must give the right-of-way, but you don't have to stop if the way is clear. The stop sign (same as in UK) indicates that you must first come to a complete stop, then proceed when the way is clear. Often, priority roads make turns at intersections in towns. These turns are indicated by schematic signs
showing the direction of the turn. (On the schematic, you are approaching from the bottom.) Traffic proceeding in the direction of the thick line has the right-of-way. Traffic leaving the priority road must yield to other traffic continuing along the priority road but still has the right-of-way over traffic on the other streets. By the way, if you are following a priority road that turns, you still must use your turn signal. Priority roads are cancelled by the
sign or by a Give Way or stop sign. On roads that are not priority roads, right-of-way may be granted by the
sign. This sign indicates that you have the right-of-way only at the next intersection. Be aware that right-of-way signs are also usually posted at signalized intersections. However, the signal takes precedence over the signs unless the signal is not operating; then the signs govern traffic.
Default right-of-way scheme: If there is no policeman, no signal, or no sign indicating the right-of-way, then the following default scheme is used:
Phil
Germany uses a system of "priority roads" (Vorfahrtstra?en) to assign right-of-way. Priority roads are marked with the
Default right-of-way scheme: If there is no policeman, no signal, or no sign indicating the right-of-way, then the following default scheme is used:
- [FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Public road has priority: Traffic on public highways has priority over private drives, forest and farm paths, and dirt roads. Also, sunken curbstones across your roadway indicative that you must yield.[/FONT]
- [FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Right has right-of-way: When two public roads cross at an uncontrolled intersection, then right-of-way is always given to traffic approaching from the right. This includes "T" intersections! In the UK, traffic on the through street of a "T" has the right-of-way. In Germany, you must yield to the right, even if you are on the through road. This also includes the rare situation where a main road and small side street cross at an uncontrolled intersection.[/FONT]
- [FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Right-of-way in congestion: When traffic is heavily congested, normal right-of-way rules go out the window and the "zipper rule" (Rei?verschlu?) goes into effect. This means that cars feed one at a time alternating from each direction, regardless of who has the posted right-of-way. The "zipper rule" also applies when one lane ends and merges into another-- each vehicle in the through lane must allow one vehicle from the truncated lane to merge in. Do not enter an intersection if traffic is backed-up on the other side of the junction, even if you have a green light.[/FONT]
- [FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]In situations of otherwise equal right-of-way, vehicles going straight have priority, followed by right turns; left turns go last.[/FONT]
- [FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Traffic entering a roundabout technically has the right-of-way unless the entrance is marked with a blue roundabout sign (which it usually is). (Footnote: you must use your turn signal when you exit a roundabout.)[/FONT]
- [FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Emergency vehicles with a flashing blue light and siren sounding always have the right-of-way; you must pull-over to the right-hand side of the road when one approaches.[/FONT]
- [FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]You should yield to streetcars at intersections. Don't pass a stopped streetcar if it is discharging passengers directly onto the street; you may continue on when the doors have closed. [/FONT]
- [FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Buses leaving a marked bus stop have the right-of-way.[/FONT]
- [FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]On narrow road sections, the
sign gives you the priority over oncoming traffic and the
sign means you must yield to oncoming traffic. On narrow mountainous roads, traffic going uphill has the right-of-way.[/FONT]
- [FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]On roads where passing is difficult or not allowed, slower traffic is required to pull over when possible to allow faster traffic to go by (waysides are sometimes provided for this purpose.) [/FONT]
- [FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Pedestrians always have the right-of-way when in a crosswalk.[/FONT]
- [FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Vehicles entering an Autobahn or expressway must yield to other traffic already on the main roadway.[/FONT]
- [FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Drivers must never assert their right-of-way-- safety takes precedence in all situations.[/FONT]
Phil
