rule of the road
noun phrase
: a customary practice (such as driving always on a particular side of the road or yielding the right of way) developed in the interest of safety and often subsequently reinforced by law
especially
: any of the rules making up a code governing ships in matters relating to mutual safety
Examples of rule of the road in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Competition over strategic technologies and contests for advantage are growing but without standard international rules of the road.
—
Foreign Affairs, 10 June 2024
The overwhelming majority of Dashers do the right thing and, like all drivers, must follow the rules of the road.
—Stepheny Price, Fox News, 5 June 2024
Having conversations with our youths about traffic laws and the rules of the road can lead to change.
—Jerald McNair, Chicago Tribune, 14 May 2024
So while the basic rules of the road remain the same on both coasts, observing them is another matter.
—Irv Erdos, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 May 2024
As for those who chafe at the prospect of getting pulled over, here’s a helpful tip: Don’t speed, run red lights, drive erratically or otherwise violate the rules of the road, and the chances are good that you won’t be targeted.
—Baltimore Sun Editorial Board, Baltimore Sun, 14 Mar. 2024
Ignoring the rules of the road puts us in peril and erodes the fabric of our society.
—Jerald McNair, Chicago Tribune, 14 May 2024
For our safety as well as theirs. – Bobbie Prentice, Santa Ana
A. Our rules of the road are determined by the state’s lawmakers.
—Jim Radcliffe, Orange County Register, 9 Feb. 2024
On this drive, the truck followed all the rules of the road and even demonstrated an uncommon courtesy to other drivers.
—Trisha Thadani, Washington Post, 31 Mar. 2024
Foreign Affairs, 10 June 2024
The overwhelming majority of Dashers do the right thing and, like all drivers, must follow the rules of the road.
—Stepheny Price, Fox News, 5 June 2024
Having conversations with our youths about traffic laws and the rules of the road can lead to change.
—Jerald McNair, Chicago Tribune, 14 May 2024
So while the basic rules of the road remain the same on both coasts, observing them is another matter.
—Irv Erdos, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 May 2024
As for those who chafe at the prospect of getting pulled over, here’s a helpful tip: Don’t speed, run red lights, drive erratically or otherwise violate the rules of the road, and the chances are good that you won’t be targeted.
—Baltimore Sun Editorial Board, Baltimore Sun, 14 Mar. 2024
Ignoring the rules of the road puts us in peril and erodes the fabric of our society.
—Jerald McNair, Chicago Tribune, 14 May 2024
For our safety as well as theirs. – Bobbie Prentice, Santa Ana
A. Our rules of the road are determined by the state’s lawmakers.
—Jim Radcliffe, Orange County Register, 9 Feb. 2024
On this drive, the truck followed all the rules of the road and even demonstrated an uncommon courtesy to other drivers.
—Trisha Thadani, Washington Post, 31 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'rule of the road.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near rule of the road
Cite this Entry
“Rule of the road.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rule%20of%20the%20road. Accessed 17 Jun. 2024.
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