Uncontrolled T Intersections: Who Should Yield?

Abstract

A questionnaire is distributed to licensed drivers in Iowa, asking questions regarding assignment of right‐of‐way at uncontrolled T intersections. A majority of respondents gives incorrect answers. Age is determined to be related to correctness of response, with older drivers having a greater proportion of correct responses than younger drivers. Traffic and accident data are collected for randomly selected uncontrolled T and four‐legged intersections. The accident rates calculated for these intersections are 0.251 and 0.733 accidents per million entering vehicles, respectively. The difference in the rates is found to be significant at the 0.005 level. It is concluded that a difference exists between drivers' perception and legal right‐of‐way assignment at uncontrolled T intersections. A recommendation is made to change the law in Iowa to give the right‐of‐way at uncontrolled T intersections to vehicles on the nonterminating roadway, and for research on nationwide uniformity in the laws governing T intersection right‐of‐way and possible revision of the