When exiting from private property and entering a public roadway, what should you do?

• A. Continue cautiously without stopping
• B. Stop and yield the right of way to all other road users
• C. Speed up to merge
• D. Signal and then proceed

Answer: (B)

When leaving private property and joining a public road, you don’t have the right of way to the through traffic already on that road. The safest and correct action is to come to a complete stop at the exit, look for approaching vehicles, bicyclists, and pedestrians, and yield to them before entering. Only when the way is clear should you proceed, using your turn signal to show your intention.

This approach is necessary because traffic on the public road has priority, and your view of oncoming vehicles from a private driveway or lot can be limited. Rushing to merge or merely signaling without stopping doesn’t give you the time or space to safely judge gaps in traffic, increasing the risk of a collision.