About driving

Giving way

Giving way at controlled intersections

A controlled intersection is an intersection where there are Give Way signs, Stop signs, roundabouts or traffic signals to tell you who has to give way.

Note: double yellow lines at Stop signs and double white lines at Give Way signs and traffic signals are in the process of being replaced with single lines. Also, at Give Way intersections, the words 'Give Way' painted on the road will be replaced by a white triangle.

Give Way sign

At an intersection controlled by a Give Way sign:

• slow down and be ready to stop
• give way to all other vehicles, except those that have stopped at a Stop sign
• if you and another vehicle are coming towards each other and you are both at Give Way signs, use the give way rules
• you must not go until it is safe for you and all other traffic.

Single or double white lines are marked on sealed roads to help you stop where you can best see other traffic.

Stop sign

At an intersection controlled by a Stop sign you must:

• come to a complete stop, not just slow down
• stop where you can see vehicles coming from all directions
• stay stopped and give way to all other vehicles (including cycles, motorcycles etc)
• use the give way rules if you and another vehicle are coming towards each other and you are both at Stop signs
• not go until it is safe for you and all other traffic.

Single or double yellow lines are marked on sealed roads to help you stop where you can best see other traffic.

Traffic signals

The following rules apply at an intersection controlled by traffic signals (also known as traffic lights):

• A red signal means stop.

• A green signal means you can go, provided it is safe, and:
  • if you are turning right, you give way to vehicles coming towards you that are going straight through
  • if you are turning left, you give way to vehicles coming towards you that are turning right
  • you give way to pedestrians crossing. This includes riders of mobility devices and wheeled recreational devices.

• A yellow signal means stop, unless you are so close to the intersection that you can't stop safely.
• A yellow signal indicates that the lights will soon turn red.

• A flashing yellow signal means the traffic signals are not working. In this case you  must apply the give way rules for uncontrolled intersections.

Arrow traffic signals

When arrows are displayed on traffic signals, they apply only to vehicles going in the direction the arrow is pointing. For example:

• A red arrow means you must stop if you are travelling in the direction the arrow is pointing.

• A yellow arrow means you must stop if you are travelling in the direction the arrow is pointing, unless you are so close to the intersection that you can't stop safely.

• A green arrow means you can go if you are travelling in the direction the arrow is pointing, provided it is safe.

Reading the traffic signals

The following examples will help you get to know what traffic signals and arrows mean.

Signal	Vehicle path	Action
	Turning left	Must stop. The red arrow protects pedestrians crossing the road.
	Straight through	May go, provided it is safe.
	Turning right	May go provided: > it is safe, and > you give way to vehicles coming towards you that are going straight through the intersection.
	Turning left	May go, provided: > it is safe, and > you give way to right-turning vehicles coming towards you.
	Straight through	May go, provided it is safe.
	Turning right	Must stop, unless it is not safe to do so.
	Turning left	May go, provided it is safe.
	Straight through	May go, provided it is safe.
	Turning right	May go, provided it is safe. All vehicles coming towards you should be stopped.
	Turning left	Must stop.
	Straight through	Must stop.
	Turning right	May go, provided it is safe. All vehicles coming towards you should be stopped.

Cycle, tram and bus signals

At some intersections there are special signals for cycles, trams and buses. Cycles, trams and buses can move when these signals are on, but all other vehicles must wait for the appropriate green traffic signal.

< previous | next >

Last updated: 7 May 2010