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

Bill author Assemblymember Laurie Davies, R-Laguna Niguel, said in a statement that the goal is for more children to know the rules of the road before using a faster device. — Madison Smalstig, Sacbee.com, 1 Sep. 2026

Much of the worry involves kids who might not know the rules of the road using vehicles that are much more powerful than the e-bikes defined in state law. — Eric D. Lawrence, Freep.com, 31 Aug. 2026

This summer, Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office deputies have also been in the community educating residents about the difference between e-bikes and e-motorcycles and the rules of the road. — Jennifer McRae, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026

The restrictions and rules, which literally include the rules of the road, aren't solely about the use of such devices where pedestrians walk or run. — Jim Riccioli, jsonline.com, 14 Aug. 2026

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