Some traffic laws are obvious—you always stop at a red light and go when the signal turns green. Stop signs aren’t suggestions, and neither are speed limit signs.
Most drivers also follow instructions painted on the road like lane markers and large arrows denoting turn-only lanes. However, there is a traffic law that is often ignored. Not everyone is familiar with the practice of yielding the right of way, which means they’re also not familiar with the dangers of neglecting to yield the right of way.
Before you get behind the wheel, it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with this traffic law. Yes, yielding the right of way is the law in Minnesota.
What is Yielding the Right of Way
The basic definition of yielding the right of way is to let another driver go before you, and while this is an apt definition, it’s a little vague.
If you let everyone go first, you’ll be stuck waiting to go for quite a while. Simply put, there is a right and wrong time to yield to other drivers and it has nothing to do with being polite at that given moment.
Adding to the confusion is the law varies on a state-by-state basis, but thankfully Minnesota is relatively clear on when drivers should yield the right of way.
When to Yield the Right of Way
The most obvious time to yield the right of way is when you come upon a yield sign. You know, the large yellow triangle-shaped road signs.
Like stop signs, yield signs are not suggestions. If another vehicle is approaching from the left or tight, it’s your turn to yield, which applies even if you’re going straight.
Whoever the yield sign is facing must obey the traffic law. Other times when you must yield the right of way include the following situations:
- Approaching an intersection. When two vehicles reach an intersection coming from different directions, the driver on the left must yield. This also applies to if the intersection has a stop sign or flashing red traffic light. The driver on the right has the right of way.
- The turning driver at a T-shaped intersection must yield to other vehicles.
Speeding is not only illegal, but it also means the driver traveling above the posted speed limit must yield the right of way. Since it’s a little difficult for drivers to prove someone else is speeding, the best approach is to proceed with caution.
Don’t try to race the speeding car across the intersection; sometimes, it’s safer to go ahead and yield your right of way.
Additional Right of Way Laws in Intersections
Crossing an intersection always comes with a risk, and this risk increases significantly when a driver fails to yield the right of way.
A sobering statistic from the Bureau of Transportation reveals that between 2017 and 2021, over 47,000 fatalities from vehicle accidents occurred in intersections. This statistic alone should make you pay special attention every time you cross an intersection.
- When you come to an intersection where multiple vehicles converge, the driver arriving first has the right of way. However, don’t automatically assume the other drivers know it’s you; instead, proceed slowly and with caution. Keep an eye on the other vehicles to ensure they’re also not driving through.
- When two or more vehicles reach the intersection at the same time, the driver on the right has the right of way. If the vehicles are facing each other, coming from opposite directions, the one who stops first has the right of way. Sometimes it’s difficult to decide who reached the intersection first. In this case, flashing your headlights usually lets the other vehicle know it’s safe to proceed.
Remember: turning drivers always yield the right of way at intersections. This applies even if yours is the first vehicle to arrive.
Exemptions to the Right of Way Law
Like with most laws, there are exceptions to yielding the right of way. To help guide you, here’s a quick look at when the standard yield laws don’t apply.
Emergency vehicles always have the right of way when their lights and/or sirens are on, and there’s no excuse to not yield to ambulances, fire trucks, and police cars—failing to do so can result in a traffic ticket. Emergency vehicles even have the right of way when turning. If possible, pull over to the side of the road to let these vehicles safely pass.
Did you know you must yield the right of way if you’re traveling from a gravel road to a paved street? Vehicles on paved streets have the right of way, even when turning.
When coming upon a railroad crossing, trains have the right of way. Yes, this part of the law is fairly obvious but it also needs mentioning. Some drivers have the mistaken belief they can outrun a train at a railroad crossing. Not only is this illegal, but it’s also incredibly dangerous, and this applies even at crossing with broken guards or non-functioning warning lights.
Pedestrians always have the right of way, even when not in marked crosswalks. Failing to yield to a pedestrian can result in a ticket and place you at risk of being involved in a traffic accident.
Criminal Implications of Failing to Yield
Failing to yield is a crime and comes with consequences. Fines can be in the thousands of dollars, especially if your failure to yield results in a car accident, and your driving record can also be impacted.
Remember, you can only get so many points on your license before risking possible suspension of your driving privileges. Your insurance rates can also go up if you’re ticketed for failing to yield. Insurance companies base their rates on how safely you drive. If the insurer believes you’re an unsafe driver you can expect to pay higher rates.
Were You Involved in a Failure to Yield Accident
If you're involved in an accident where the other vehicle failed to yield, it's crucial to reach out to a personal injury attorney. You may well be entitled to financial compensation, and an attorney can expertly assess your situation to determine the extent of your entitlement.
Their expertise in navigating such cases will not only enhance your chances of receiving fair compensation but also ensure that all legal procedures are meticulously followed for the best possible outcome.
