Crossroads — where two roads cross — are one of the most common junction types you'll encounter. They come in many forms: controlled by traffic lights, marked with Give Way or Stop lines, or completely unmarked. Each requires a slightly different approach.
1Types of crossroads
Crossroads can be:
• Traffic light controlled — follow the lights. Treat amber as stop unless it's unsafe to do so. • Give Way controlled — you must give way to traffic on the major road. • Stop line controlled — you must stop fully, even if the road appears clear. • Unmarked — no lines, no signs. All roads have equal priority. These require extra caution.
At an unmarked crossroads, no road has priority. All drivers must approach cautiously and be prepared to give way.
2Approaching a crossroads
Use the MSM (Mirrors-Signal-Manoeuvre) and PSL (Position-Speed-Look) routines:
1. Mirrors — check what's behind you before slowing. 2. Signal — if turning, signal early and clearly. 3. Position — move to the correct position for your intended direction (near centre line for right turns, left side for left turns). 4. Speed — approach at a speed that allows you to stop if needed. 5. Look — check for traffic from all four directions before committing.
💡 Tips
- •Even on green lights, check left and right before entering — other drivers do run red lights.
- •At busy crossroads, make eye contact with other drivers if unsure — a nod or gesture confirms they've seen you.
3Turning right at a crossroads
Turning right is the most complex movement at a crossroads. You must give way to:
• Oncoming traffic going straight ahead. • Oncoming traffic turning left.
If you and an oncoming vehicle are both turning right, there are two methods:
• Offside-to-offside (passing each other right-side to right-side): You each turn behind the other vehicle. You can see oncoming traffic clearly. • Nearside-to-nearside (passing left-side to left-side): You each turn in front of the other. Your view of oncoming traffic is blocked — extra caution needed.
Follow road markings or the positions of other drivers. When in doubt, use offside-to-offside.
💡 Tips
- •Never assume you can go just because the oncoming driver has turned right — check for a second vehicle behind them.
- •If visibility is blocked by an oncoming vehicle, inch forward until you can see clearly before committing to the turn.
4Unmarked crossroads
Unmarked crossroads are found on quiet residential and rural roads. There are no lines, no signs — and no official priority.
• Approach slowly and be ready to stop. • Make eye contact with drivers on crossing roads. • Don't assume anyone will stop — treat it as a potential hazard. • If in doubt, stop and wait for it to be absolutely clear.
These are common in rural North Wales — approach with particular care on unfamiliar roads.
At an unmarked crossroads, being there first doesn't give you priority. Any driver approaching from any direction can legitimately expect to proceed.
5Common crossroads mistakes
• Emerging without looking properly — checking only one direction. • Misjudging the speed of oncoming traffic. • Incorrect positioning when turning right (causing confusion for oncoming drivers). • Trusting green lights without checking cross traffic. • Not signalling — leaving other drivers unsure of your intentions. • Stopping in the yellow box junction (blocking the junction for cross traffic).
💡 Tips
- •Yellow box junctions: you may only enter if your exit is clear. Don't inch into the box and then get stuck.
- •At crossroads controlled by traffic lights, look left and right before accelerating on green — especially on roads with a history of red-light running.