When approaching an uncontrolled intersection, a driver should:
- Maintain their speed and proceed.
- Stop at the intersection, check in all directions, and proceed.
- Yield to all other drivers.
- Be prepared to yield. ✓
Answer: D. Be prepared to yield.
You should be prepared to yield when approaching an uncontrolled intersection.
Why this is the answer
The Texas handbook's rule for an uncontrolled intersection is to yield the right-of-way to any vehicle that has entered or is approaching on your right. If the road to your right is clear, or those vehicles are far enough away, you may go ahead, but you still check for vehicles from the left. It also says that even when you legally have the right-of-way, you should be sure the other driver yields before you proceed. That makes being prepared to yield the safe answer; you do not simply keep your speed.
Why the other answers are wrong
- A. Maintain their speed and proceed. — Maintaining speed and proceeding assumes the way is clear, but at an uncontrolled intersection you must yield to traffic approaching on your right and check for vehicles from the left.
- B. Stop at the intersection, check in all directions, and proceed. — Stopping, checking every direction, and then proceeding describes a full stop that the handbook does not require at an uncontrolled intersection; the rule is to yield when needed, then proceed if clear.
- C. Yield to all other drivers. — Yielding to all other drivers goes further than the handbook, which gives you the right-of-way in some cases but still tells you to make sure others yield before you go.
Remember it
At an uncontrolled intersection, never assume you own the crossing: look right, look left, and be ready to give way.
Official handbook: Texas Driver Handbook (DL-7), Chapter 3: Safety Responsibility , p. 20