Eesõigus

Eesõigus (priority right) is a term used in Estonian traffic law to describe who has the legal right to proceed at road junctions, merging points and similar situations. It designates which road user may move first and which must yield.

In practice, vehicles on a road with eesõigus have the priority over vehicles entering or crossing from side roads or driveways, unless signs or road markings indicate otherwise. When two vehicles approach a junction on roads of equal priority, the vehicle coming from the right has the priority. When a marked give-way or stop sign is present, those approaching must yield according to the sign, even if another road would otherwise have priority.

Signage and markings play a key role. The esõigus sign signals that the road you are on has priority. The väistmiskoht (give way) sign indicates that you must yield to traffic on the main road. Pedestrian crossings, traffic lights, and other signals can override general eesõigus rules, so drivers must follow the most restrictive indication in any given situation.

Practical guidance: anticipate vehicles from side roads, use the right-hand rule at equal-priority junctions, and always yield to pedestrians at crosswalks. In urban areas, priority rules are reinforced by signs and road markings, and violations can lead to penalties and points on a driver’s record.

Eesõigus helps organize traffic flow and reduces conflicts at intersections by clarifying who should proceed first, while leaving room for signs, signals, and safe driving judgment to govern complex situations.