MA DMV Traffic Laws and Right of Way 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: At an uncontrolled intersection in Massachusetts, who has the right of way?
- The vehicle traveling faster
- The vehicle on the right when two vehicles arrive at the same time (Correct answer)
- The heavier vehicle
- The vehicle traveling on the wider road
Correct answer: The vehicle on the right when two vehicles arrive at the same time
At an uncontrolled intersection when two vehicles arrive simultaneously, Massachusetts law gives the right of way to the vehicle on the right.
Question 2: When must you yield to pedestrians in Massachusetts?
- Only at marked crosswalks with signals
- At all crosswalks, marked or unmarked, when pedestrians are crossing (Correct answer)
- Only when a pedestrian steps into the road in front of you
- Only in school zones during school hours
Correct answer: At all crosswalks, marked or unmarked, when pedestrians are crossing
Massachusetts law requires drivers to yield to pedestrians at all crosswalks — both marked and unmarked — whenever a pedestrian is crossing.
Question 3: What is the minimum following distance you should maintain in Massachusetts under normal conditions?
- One car length per 10 mph of speed
- A 2-second gap between your vehicle and the one ahead (Correct answer)
- 5 car lengths at all times
- 100 feet between vehicles
Correct answer: A 2-second gap between your vehicle and the one ahead
The 2-second rule is the recommended minimum following distance in Massachusetts, ensuring adequate reaction time under normal driving conditions.
Question 4: When turning left at a green traffic light in Massachusetts, you must:
- Proceed immediately since you have a green light
- Yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians before completing the turn (Correct answer)
- Sound your horn to warn pedestrians
- Turn only when no pedestrians are within 100 feet
Correct answer: Yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians before completing the turn
A green light permits a left turn but requires yielding to oncoming traffic and pedestrians who have the right of way.
Question 5: In Massachusetts, when approaching an emergency vehicle with flashing lights that is stopped on the side of the road, you must:
- Speed up to clear the area quickly
- Move to the lane farthest from the emergency vehicle or slow to 20 mph below the speed limit if lane change is not possible (Correct answer)
- Flash your headlights as a warning to the driver
- Maintain normal speed but increase following distance
Correct answer: Move to the lane farthest from the emergency vehicle or slow to 20 mph below the speed limit if lane change is not possible
Massachusetts Move Over Law requires drivers to move to a non-adjacent lane or reduce speed significantly when passing stopped emergency vehicles with active lights.
Question 6: At a four-way stop in Massachusetts, who goes first?
- The vehicle that arrived last
- The vehicle that arrived first; if simultaneous, the vehicle on the right (Correct answer)
- The heaviest vehicle
- The vehicle intending to go straight
Correct answer: The vehicle that arrived first; if simultaneous, the vehicle on the right
At a four-way stop, the vehicle that arrived first has the right of way; when vehicles arrive simultaneously, the one on the right goes first.
MA DMV Traffic Laws and Right of Way 1
At an uncontrolled intersection in Massachusetts, who has the right of way?