WHO HAS THE RIGHT OF WAY AT ILLINOIS INTERSECTION?

An automobile traveling north on Illinois Route 3 makes a left turn at the T-intersection onto Route 146.

Heading south, three cars are turning right to merge with traffic on Route 146, which leads to the Mississippi River Bridge between East Cape Girardeau, Ill., and Cape Girardeau. Mo.

There are no "Yield," or "Stop" signs. But, somebody has to give.

Who?

According to Illinois state law, the person making the right turn has the right-of-way.

It would seem that once the northbound vehicle turns on Route 146, it would have the right-of-way. At least, that's how it is in Missouri.

However, the Missouri Department of Transportation uses yield or stop signs at intersections where the right-turn lane merges into the road. And the right turn motorist will get the yield sign, just opposite of the Illinois ruling.

In the case of Route 146/3 case in southern Illinois, the northbound traffic making the left turn must yield the right-of-way. In other words, Illinois law says the person making the left turn must yield.

"This is considered a regular intersection," said an official with the Illinois Department of Transportation district office at Carbondale.

Motorists using the road on a daily basis insist that it is a confusing intersection.

At one time there were signs, but the signs were removed in late 1995, or early 1996, when improvements were made to the intersection and the highway. At the time, IDOT officials deemed it unnecessary to install signs.

IDOT monitors the accident situation at various intersections.

"This is one of them," said the IDOT official. "We haven't had any complaints until just recently." If, at some future period, a sign is deemed necessary, one will be installed.

A few fender-benders, including one Monday, brought renewed attention to the intersection.

TO YIELD OR NOT TO YIELD?

Q: Some motorists traveling toward Missouri on Illinois Rt. 146 face the question of who has the right of way at the intersection of Rt. 146 and Rt. 3.

A: According to Illinois Department of Transportation, the motorist making the right-hand turn from the north has the right of way. The vehicle turning left from Rt. 3 must yield to the merging traffic.