Right of way means the legal priority to move first in a traffic situation. It’s not just about you getting to go first. It’s about who must yield in any given moment so that things stay safe and don’t turn chaotic.
You’ll see this play out at intersections, roundabouts, crosswalks, merging lanes, and basically anywhere paths cross. For example, when you see a pedestrian about to cross the street at a crosswalk, the law says you yield. That means you stop and let them go first, even if you’re in a rush.
Same thing when you’re pulling out from a side road onto a main one. The traffic on the main road usually has priority, so you wait. The idea is to keep things flowing safely and reduce confusion or accidents. But knowing who’s supposed to go first only works if everyone plays by the same rules and pays attention.
Let’s take a deeper look into the right of way.
Pedestrians and Right of Way
Pedestrians almost always get the benefit of the doubt, especially when they’re crossing in places meant for foot traffic. That includes marked crosswalks, unmarked crosswalks at intersections, and school zones. In these areas, drivers are required to yield, and that’s not optional.
Still, pedestrians aren’t allowed to just jump out into traffic expecting cars to stop instantly. If a driver literally has no chance to react, the pedestrian can be at fault, too. So even though the law’s on their side, pedestrians also have a responsibility to cross safely and at the right time.
It’s a two-way thing: drivers need to yield, and pedestrians need to make smart, safe choices.
When the Right of Way Is in Question
When the situation gets a little fuzzy, maybe there are no signs, no lights, or it’s just not clear what the rule is, make it a mental note to always play it safe.
Use eye contact, hand signals, or even a polite wave. Don’t speed through and assume the other person will yield just because you were right. Instead, slow down and wait it out. At the end of the day, nobody wins in a crash.
Think of places like parking lots or busy intersections where the rules aren’t always obvious. These are the places where slowing down and being courteous can make all the difference.
Furthermore, there are moments where you might technically have the right to go first, but you really shouldn’t.
If the weather’s bad, like heavy rain or fog, and someone doesn’t see you clearly, you yield. If someone’s barreling through a red light or ignoring a stop sign, you yield. If an ambulance is coming or a school bus is stopped with its lights flashing, you absolutely yield.
Even if you’re not in the wrong, pushing through just to prove a point can still end badly. Not only could you get hurt, but you might also be held legally responsible if things go south.
When Are You Required to Yield?
There are very specific situations where you must yield, no matter what. That includes:
- When you see a yield sign.
- When someone is in a crosswalk.
- When a person is using a white cane or a guide dog.
- At uncontrolled intersections, when someone else is already in the intersection.
- At T-intersections, when you’re on the road that ends.
- When making a left turn, you wait for oncoming traffic and pedestrians.
- When pulling onto a paved road from an unpaved one.
- When re-entering traffic from a parked position.
Every one of those situations has its own risks, and yielding takes the pressure off.
Can Someone Take the Right of Way from You?
Yes, and it happens all the time. Sometimes it’s intentional, like when a driver aggressively pushes into a lane. Other times, it’s just someone being careless or not knowing the rules.
If someone takes the right of way by not yielding, you need to make a fast decision: is it worth standing your ground? The answer should always be no. Let them go. It’s frustrating, but it’s not worth the crash the damage, or the drama.
Report them if they’re driving dangerously, but don’t escalate. The road is not the place for proving a point.
