USAREUR Practice Exam

In the absence of priority signs in a city, who has the right-of-way?

1. The vehicle on the narrowest street

2. The vehicle on the widest street

3. The vehicle going straight

4. The vehicle that is turning

The correct answer is: The vehicle on the widest street

In the absence of priority signs in a city, the vehicle on the widest street generally has the right-of-way. This principle is based on traffic conventions, where wider roads typically carry more significant traffic and are designed for smooth flow. Therefore, when approaching an intersection, a driver on a wider street is usually granted the right-of-way to facilitate traffic management and safety. This guideline helps to prevent confusion and maintain a consistent flow of vehicles, as wide streets are expected to have higher volumes of traffic and be major routes within a city. It allows drivers to anticipate that vehicles on narrower roads should yield to those on wider roads, reducing the potential for accidents at intersections without clearly marked priority signs.