Understanding Right-of-Way

At Big Deal Driving School, we teach our students that the road is a shared resource requiring mutual respect and technical discipline. Whether you are navigating the bustle of Lagos, the wide avenues of Abuja, or the interstate highways across Nigeria, a deep understanding of Right of Way is what separates a professional from a “roadside” driver.

In professional driving, Right of Way is a legal framework of priority designed to keep traffic moving and prevent collisions. Here is how to master it the Big Deal way.

THE HIERARCHY OF PRIORITY: MAJOR VS. MINOR

According to the Nigeria Highway Code, every traffic interaction involves a Major Road and a Minor Road. The Major Road always has priority. When you are on a Minor Road—such as exiting a street, a fuel station, or a private estate—you are legally required to Yield. This means you must wait until the main flow of traffic is entirely clear before joining.

CRITICAL SCENARIOS & PROFESSIONAL PROTOCOLS

1. The Turning Rule: Straight Lines vs. Interruption

When two vehicles approach a junction or intersection from opposite directions, the vehicle moving STRAIGHT has the primary right of way.

• The Technicality: If you are turning, you are interrupting the flow. Therefore, you must wait for a safe gap in the oncoming traffic.
• Big Deal Pro-Tip: Use the MSPSL Routine (Mirror, Signal, Position, Speed, Look) early. Positioning your car correctly near the center line tells the other driver your intention before you even move the wheel.

2. Joining Expressways: The Merge Discipline

Merging onto a high-speed expressway is one of the most technical maneuvers in Nigeria.

• The Technicality: Vehicles already on the expressway are the Kings of the Road. It is the legal responsibility of the merging driver to match the speed of the traffic and find a safe entry gap.
• Big Deal Pro-Tip: Use the Acceleration Lane (slip road) to match the highway speed. Stopping at the end of a merge lane is dangerous and creates a hazard for everyone behind you.

3. Vulnerable Road Users: Pedestrian Priority

Under FRSC standards, the most vulnerable person on the road always has the highest priority.

• The Technicality: If a pedestrian has already stepped onto the road—even if there is no marked zebra crossing—you are professionally obligated to slow down or stop.
• Big Deal Pro-Tip: Stopping for pedestrians is not just an act of kindness; it is the mark of a high-IQ, Defensive Driver.

PROFESSIONAL HABITS FOR RIGHT OF WAY MASTERY

1. Identify Road Status Early: Before you reach a junction, ask yourself: Am I on the Major or Minor road? This simple question dictates your next move and prevents confusion.
2. The Life-Saver Glance: Never assume another driver will respect your Right of Way. Always perform a Shoulder Check (Blind Spot check) and make eye contact with other road users before committing to a move.
3. The 5-Second Gap Rule: When turning into a main road, only move if you can do so without forcing oncoming vehicles to brake. If an oncoming driver has to tap their brakes, your gap was too small and your move was unsafe.

At Big Deal Driving School, we teach our students that while the Highway Code governs the majority of road users, there exists a “Special Priority” tier for emergency services and authorized convoys. Navigating these situations requires a blend of legal knowledge, quick reflexes, and a calm Defensive Mindset.

In a country as dynamic as Nigeria, knowing when to move—and where to move—can be the difference between a smooth journey and a high-speed catastrophe.

THE STATUTORY PRIORITY: AMBULANCES & FIRE SERVICES

According to the FRSC Highway Code, authorized emergency vehicles (Ambulances, Fire Trucks, and Police vehicles) using their Sirens and Blue/Red flashing lights have the absolute Right of Way.

• The Technicality: These vehicles are often responding to life-or-death situations where every second counts. Legally, other road users are required to Yield and pull to the side to create a clear path.
• The Big Deal Protocol: Do not panic or “slam” your brakes. Check your Rear-View Mirror, signal your intention, and move toward the Right Shoulder of the road (or left, depending on the lane flow) to create a “Middle Corridor” for the emergency vehicle to pass.

THE REALITY OF GOVERNMENT CONVOYS

A unique feature of Nigerian roads is the presence of high-profile Government Convoys. While the Right of Way for these convoys is often a subject of public debate, a Professional Driver treats them with specific tactical caution.

• The Road Reality: Convoys often move at high speeds and may deviate from standard traffic lanes. Regardless of the “technical” legality of their maneuvers, the Defensive Priority is to avoid a collision.
• The Big Deal Protocol: When you hear a convoy siren or see an escort vehicle (Pilot Car) waving traffic aside, Do Not Compete. Do not try to “race” the convoy or “block” their path to prove a point. Move over safely and allow the entire string of vehicles to pass before returning to your lane.

3. TAIL-GATING – Bumper to Bumper Driving

A common—and dangerous—habit in Nigeria is for civilian drivers to “trail” behind an ambulance or a government convoy to beat traffic.

• The Danger: Convoys and ambulances often make sudden, high-speed stops or turns. If you are tailgating them, you are in their Blind Spot and have zero reaction time if they brake.
• The Big Deal Protocol: Never use an emergency vehicle as a “shield” to beat traffic. It is unprofessional, illegal, and puts your life at the mercy of the convoy’s unpredictable movements.

At Big Deal Driving School, we remind our students across the federation that Right of Way is GIVEN, not taken. It is a legal concept, not a personal right or an ego trip. If another driver is aggressive or ignorant of these rules, the professional choice is always to Yield.

It is better to arrive at your destination 10 seconds late than to spend 2 hours in a roadside argument or at a police station. True Big Deal status is measured by your safety record and your ability to stay calm under pressure.

Ready to move from a beginner to a professional Nigerian driver?
Explore our Professional Driver and Elite Mastery packages today. We don’t just teach you how to move; we teach you how to lead on the road.

Drive with Excellence. Drive the Big Deal Way.