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

Some of these include route planning, rules of the road and maneuvers to avoid crashes. —Carlos Rico, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Sep. 2025

Waymo said in a statement to KTVU that the Waymo Driver, the company’s autonomous driving system, is designed to follow the rules of the road. —Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 29 Sep. 2025

This is the easiest way to learn about the rules of the road in your area, and if tinting the windows on your vehicle is right for you. —Keenan Thompson, USA Today, 20 Sep. 2025

California continues to lead the nation in shaping the rules of the road for AI in employment. —Alonzo Martinez, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1798, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for rule of the road

• abode
• anode
• barcode
• bestowed
• boatload
• borrowed
• carload
• caseload
• cathode
• commode
• corrode
• crossroad