Right-of-Way in Alberta — Animated
"Who goes first?" causes more new-driver stress (and more road test fails) than almost anything else. Watch these animated scenarios to see exactly how right-of-way works at 4-way stops, roundabouts, uncontrolled intersections and more — you're always the amber car.
Below the scenarios you'll also find step-by-step manoeuvre guides: parallel parking, hill parking, 3-point turns, and merging onto the highway.
The core right-of-way rules, in plain language
- 4-way stop: first to stop, first to go. Tie? Yield to the vehicle on your right. Turning left? Yield to oncoming traffic going straight.
- Uncontrolled intersection (no signs or lights): slow down and yield to the vehicle on your right.
- Roundabout: traffic already in the circle has the right-of-way. Signal right before your exit.
- T-intersection: the through road always goes first.
- Pedestrians: every intersection is a crosswalk, marked or not — pedestrians crossing have the right-of-way.
- Emergency vehicles: pull right and stop. Passing one stopped on the shoulder? Slow to 60 km/h or the posted limit, whichever is lower.
- School bus with flashing red lights: stop in both directions (fine: $567 and 6 demerits). Only a divided highway exempts oncoming traffic.
Remember: right-of-way is something you give, not take. Even when the rules say you go first, confirm the other driver is actually yielding before you move.