BMV Practice Test

Who has the right-of-way on the highway?

1. vehicles entering the highway

2. pedestrians on crosswalks

3. highway traffic

4. vehicles exiting the highway

The correct answer is: highway traffic

The right-of-way on the highway is primarily afforded to highway traffic. This means that vehicles already traveling on the highway have the priority over vehicles that are attempting to enter or exit the highway. This rule of thumb helps maintain the flow of traffic and reduces the likelihood of collisions. In most situations, vehicles merging onto a highway need to yield to the traffic already present, which is why they do not have the right-of-way. Similarly, vehicles exiting the highway must also exercise caution and ensure that they do not impede the flow of traffic. While pedestrians have rights in crosswalks, their rules pertain more to urban settings rather than the highway itself, where the focus is on moving vehicles. Recognizing highway traffic as having the right-of-way is foundational to safe driving conduct and efficient roadway usage.