麻豆传媒映画

The priorit茅 脿 droite (priority to the right) rule remains a core principle of French driving law and can lead to confusion 鈥� and collisions 鈥� if not understood or respected.

In France, priorit茅 脿 droite is the default rule at intersections, unless road signs or markings state otherwise. It applies to all road users and is defined in Article R415-5 of the Code de la route:

鈥淲hen two drivers approach an intersection from different roads, the driver coming from the left is obliged to give way to the other driver, unless otherwise provided for.鈥�

This is not a uniquely French rule. It was adopted in much of continental Europe following a 1926 international road traffic convention in Paris. 

However, countries that drive on the left were exempt.

How to know when the rule applies

Several road signs help you to understand if priorit茅 脿 droite is in force:

• Panneau de priorit茅 ponctuelle: a red triangle with a thick black arrow and a thin bar across it, means you have priority at the next junction.

• Panneau de route prioritaire: a yellow diamond with a white border. This means your road has priority until the sign is cancelled by the same diamond with a black bar.

• Panneau de priorit茅 脿 droite: a red triangle with a black X. This confirms that the default rule applies at the next junction and that you must give way to traffic from the right.

Even without signs, other indicators may show priority:

If a side road has a solid or broken white line at the exit, or a Stop or C茅dez le passage (give way) sign, vehicles on that road must yield.

Otherwise, in general, you should always assume priorit茅 脿 droite applies unless signage or markings clearly state otherwise.

That is the case even if a road joining yours from the right appears smaller and less busy; however, in general priorit茅 脿 droite does not apply to vehicles entering a road from dirt tracks, carparks, private roads or housing estates.

On dual carriageways and motorways, vehicles entering from the right must give way to traffic already on the main road. 

On most roundabouts (carrefours giratoires) those on the roundabout have priority 鈥� although a few older roundabouts (rond-points) have priority to those entering if no give-way signs or markings are in place.

Fines and enforcement

Failure to observe the rule where it applies can result in a 鈧�135 fine and a four-point deduction on a French driving licence. 

In some cases, licence suspensions up to three years are possible. 

Cases of such penalties being awarded are uncommon, but do happen. However, failure to observe the rule can also result in close shaves with other drivers 鈥� or worse.