Priority at the next junctionUnited Kingdom
Traffic rules
United Kingdom
38. Priority at the next junction
Priority at the next junction means that drivers travelling on a particular road have priority over traffic entering from intersecting roads at the next junction. The priority arrangement is normally indicated by signs facing both the priority traffic and the traffic that must give way.
Unlike a continuing priority road, this priority applies only at the indicated intersection. Drivers must still approach cautiously and obey traffic lights, authorised officers, crossings, turning rules and other applicable signs.
Wikimedia.org • Rob Purvis • CC BY-SA
How is priority at the next junction determined in the United Kingdom?
The UK does not grant automatic priority merely because a road looks larger or is called a main road. Use the junction’s give-way or Stop lines, signs, signals and applicable turning rules.
🔗 gov.uk • Great Britain Highway Code: Rules 170–178; junction controls and pedestrians
🔗 gov.uk • DfT Know Your Traffic Signs: regulatory signs (Great Britain)
Does priority at one junction automatically continue along the entire road in the United Kingdom?
No. In Great Britain, check the Stop or Give Way controls, road markings and traffic signals at each following junction. A main-road name, route number or priority at an earlier junction does not override those controls or the duties towards pedestrians and cyclists.
🔗 gov.uk • Great Britain Highway Code: Rules 170–178; junction controls and pedestrians
🔗 gov.uk • DfT Know Your Traffic Signs: regulatory signs (Great Britain)
May a driver with priority ignore pedestrians or another safety obligation at the next junction in the United Kingdom?
No. Junction priority does not cancel duties towards pedestrians, traffic signals, emergency vehicles or other road users where the law gives them precedence. Approach at a speed allowing you to stop safely.
🔗 gov.uk • Great Britain Highway Code: Rules 170–178; junction controls and pedestrians
🔗 gov.uk • DfT Know Your Traffic Signs: regulatory signs (Great Britain)
