Texas Drivers Ed Written Practice Test

What does "right-of-way" mean?

1. The permission to use another lane

2. The legal right to proceed before others

3. The priority of larger vehicles on the road

4. The right to stop at any intersection

The correct answer is: The legal right to proceed before others

"Right-of-way" refers to the legal right to proceed before others in a traffic situation. It governs who has the priority to drive in certain scenarios, such as at intersections or when merging into traffic. Understanding right-of-way is crucial for maintaining safety on the roads as it helps prevent collisions by clearly establishing who is allowed to go first in various driving situations. For example, at an uncontrolled intersection where no traffic signals exist, a driver must yield to vehicles already in the intersection. Similarly, pedestrians typically have the right-of-way when crossing at marked crosswalks. Knowing these rules ensures that drivers can anticipate actions of others and react accordingly, which is essential for defensive driving. The other choices relate to driving and traffic rules, but they do not accurately define "right-of-way." Each focuses on different aspects of driving; however, none convey the legal precedence granted to certain vehicles or individuals in traffic, which is the essence of what right-of-way means.