The basis of all priority rules is that no-one has any rights in traffic, only joint obligations. Different perspectives on the same situation:
You intend to continue straight ahead. This is a situation where all drivers have obligations. Driver A must let you pass according to the turning rule, B must give way to A according to the priority-to-the-right rule, you must give way to B according to the priority-to-the-right rule, and nobody is allowed to enter the intersection if they risk having to stop in the middle of the intersection (the obstruction rule).
The traffic signals are not functioning. This means that you should follow the give way sign.
Not respecting the obligation to stop is a serious violation. It is one of the few things that are specifically mentioned in the law, under the section on criteria to revoke a driving licence. In other words, you can lose your licence if you continue creeping forwards instead of stopping!
You have to stop. If there are 100 cars in a line, every single one must stop regardless of how good the visibility is.
The Priority road sign is displayed after every junction, not before.
Why after the junction and not before?
– This is so that the vehicles joining the road will also see the sign and realise they are on a priority road.
If the sign is displayed after the junction, how will I know that the road is a priority road before the junction?
– Normally, there will also be several indications that you are on a priority road before the junction:
Priority road before the junction as well.
In addition, the Swedish Transport Agency specifies that a Priority road sign is not displayed directly after a junction if the road was not a priority road before the junction as well.
The Junction sign does not have to be displayed for the priority-to-the-right rule to apply.
The sign is simply a clarification at particularly difficult junctions, and will not usually be displayed where the priority-to-the-right rule is applicable.
But how come the sign is not always displayed?
– The priority-to-the-right rule is applicable in so many places that this sign would fill up the whole traffic environment. The priority-to-the-right rule applies in parking areas, for example, and it would be unreasonable to display signs at every little intersection of the parking area.
Priority-to-the-right rule, example 1
B must give way to A, and A must in turn give way to C. This means that according to the priority-to-the-right rule C is to drive first, then A and finally B.
However, in this case, it may be appropriate for B and C to drive at the same time and for A to go last, as A must also take the obstruction rule into account (A may not go into the junction and obstruct B).
Priority-to-the-right rule, example 2
A is approaching from the right from B’s perspective, which means that B must give way to A. The fact that A is turning onto B’s road or that B’s road is bigger is of no importance.
Priority-to-the-right rule, example 3
The roads do not have to intersect at a 90° angle. The priority-to-the-right rule is applicable here as well. A must give way to B.
Priority-to-the-right rule, example 4
The priority-to-the-right rule is also applicable in open areas. B must give way to A.
The priority-to-the-right rule applies here, as there are no indications that say otherwise (for example, road signs).
You are entering an open area. The priority-to-the-right rule applies.
The Junction sign (priority-to-the-right rule sign) is displayed here. However, this sign is unusual. It is absent from most intersections where the priority-to-the-right rule applies.
You are not obliged to give way to the red car, as the priority-to-the-right rule is not applicable when reversing or when exiting a parking space. However, be careful, as the reversing driver may not see you.
You may not hinder or cross the path of oncoming traffic when turning left.
Example of the turning rule
As A’s intended direction of travel crosses B’s path, A must give way to B. This rule applies even if A has a green light (B can have a green light at the same time).
The exit rule means that you have an obligation to give way when exiting:
The exit rule, example
The car is entering a road from a property and has an obligation to give way.
The exit rule does not apply if there is a pedestrian crossing, a bicycle passage or a bicycle crossing at the junction. The exit rule only applies at uninterrupted footpaths or bicycle paths. A pedestrian crossing, a bicycle passage or a bicycle crossing always interrupts the footpath or bicycle path.
Crossing a footpath or bicycle path in connection to a regular road junction is unusual. In most cases, the footpath or bicycle path ends before the junction and starts again after the junction. This means that the exit rule does not apply.
The priority-to-the-right rule does not apply if a vehicle approaches from the right (red arrow). This is because it is a parking facility. Vehicles exiting the parking facility have an obligation to give way when exiting.
The bus rule, example
Only car B is obliged to give way to the bus.
Cars are obliged to give way to you. This does not apply to trams. You have to give way to trams crossing your path. (“Lämna fri väg för spårvagn” = “Give way to trams”)