Failure to Yield

Maybe you were at an intersection and you drove straight through – even though the car on the right was already moving. You hit the other car, and the police wrote you a ticket for failing to yield to the driver on the right.

A traffic violation ticket – or two or three — can lead to escalating difficulties like points on your driving record, costly fines, rising insurance premiums and even suspension of your driver’s license. A defense attorney can help you minimize or avoid these problems.

What You Need To Know About Failure To Yield

In Pennsylvania, when two vehicles approach or enter an intersection from different roads at approximately the same time, the driver of the vehicle on the left has to yield the right-of-way to the vehicle on the right.

If you are found guilty of failing to yield to the driver on the right at an intersection, three points will be added to your driving record.

If you want to make a left turn at an intersection, the driver approaching from the other direction has the right of way and you have to yield to them.

If you fail to yield to the oncoming driver when making a left turn, you can get three points.

Entering A Highway Or Traffic Circle

• If you are trying to enter a through highway, the traffic already on the through highway has the right-of-way
• If you are trying to enter a limited-access highway, the traffic already on the limited-access highway has the right-of-way
• If you are trying to enter a traffic circle, the traffic already in the traffic circle has the right-of-way

Yield Signs

Drivers approaching a yield sign need to slow down to a reasonable speed for the existing conditions.

If it’s needed for safety, before entering the yield-sign intersection the driver should stop either before entering a crosswalk or at the point on the road nearest the intersecting road where they can see approaching traffic.

After slowing down or stopping, the driver should yield right-of-way to any vehicle in the intersection or approaching closely from another road.

If you drive past a yield sign and you are involved in a collision, the collision is considered prima facie (presumed to be true until disproved) evidence that you failed to yield the right-of-way.

Failure To Yield To Emergency Vehicle

On the immediate approach of an emergency vehicle that’s using its siren and lights, a driver is required to immediately yield the right-of-way.

You need to quickly pull into a position as close as possible to the right-hand edge of the road until the emergency vehicle passes.

Blind pedestrians

Drivers are required to yield the right-of-way to any totally or partially blind pedestrian carrying a clearly visible white cane or accompanied by a guide dog.

You need to take whatever precautions are necessary to avoid injuring or endangering the pedestrian. If necessary, you need to stop your vehicle to prevent injuring or endangering the pedestrian.

Failure to give the right-of-way to a blind pedestrian is a summary offense and you can be fined up to $150.

What To Do If The Police Pull You Over

• Turn the ignition off but don’t get out of the car.
• Don’t argue with the police officer or get angry.
• Be polite.

How A PA Traffic Defense Lawyer Will Help

When you are up against a traffic violation, you need an attorney who will stand by you every step of the way, work hard to discredit any evidence – and work with you to determine your best course of action.

Pennsylvania Traffic Violation Law

Traffic violation is described and defined under The Pennsylvania Code under Title 75. Read the code here.