Navigating Florida intersections can be confusing. Florida law specifies when drivers must yield the right-of-way to others. Understanding these rules is essential for preventing accidents and avoiding liability if a collision occurs.
Four-Way Stop Intersections
Four-way stops confuse many drivers. However, the rules are straightforward. When you approach a four-way stop intersection where all directions have stop signs, specific rules determine the order in which vehicles should proceed.
The first vehicle to come to a complete stop at the intersection proceeds first. If you arrive second, you wait until the first vehicle clears the intersection before proceeding. This first-come, first-served principle applies regardless of which direction you are traveling.
When two vehicles arrive simultaneously at a four-way stop, the car on the right has the right of way. For example, if you arrive at the same time as a car to your right, you must yield and allow that vehicle to go first. If you are the vehicle on the right, you may proceed after confirming the other driver is yielding.
When three or more vehicles arrive at the same time, drivers should apply the right-hand rule in succession until all vehicles have cleared the intersection. In practice, this sometimes requires drivers to make eye contact and use common sense to determine who should go.
Vehicles turning left must yield the right-of-way to other vehicles going straight or turning right. This is true even if the left-turning vehicle arrived at the intersection first.
Two-Way Stop Intersections
At two-way stop intersections, only two directions have stop signs, while traffic on the main road does not stop.
If you are stopped at a stop sign, you must yield to all traffic on the main road that does not have a stop sign. This means you wait until there is a safe gap in traffic before entering the intersection. You cannot force your way into traffic just because you have been waiting.
Once all traffic on the main road has cleared, the same rules that apply at four-way stops govern which stopped vehicles proceed. The first to arrive goes first, and when vehicles arrive simultaneously, the vehicle on the right has priority.
Many intersection accidents occur at two-way stops when drivers on the side street underestimate the speed of approaching traffic on the main road or incorrectly assume approaching vehicles will slow down or stop. These miscalculations often result in serious T-bone collisions.
Intersections With No Stop Signs or Signals
At an uncontrolled intersection, the vehicle on the left must yield to the vehicle on the right when both arrive at approximately the same time. This rule applies even if neither vehicle has a stop sign. Additionally, vehicles entering a public road from a private driveway, alley, or unpaved road must yield to all traffic already on the public highway.
Traffic Signal Intersections
When traffic signals control an intersection, the rules are different from those at stop sign intersections. A green light gives you the right of way to proceed straight or turn right. However, even with a green light, you must still exercise caution and ensure the intersection is clear before entering.
Turning left on a green light is more complicated. You may enter the intersection and wait for a safe gap in oncoming traffic, but you must yield to all oncoming vehicles traveling straight or turning right. Only when oncoming traffic clears may you complete your left turn.
A yellow light warns that the signal is about to turn red. You should stop if you can do so safely. If you are already in the intersection or cannot stop safely, you may proceed with caution.
A red light requires a complete stop. Right turns on red are permitted in Florida after coming to a full stop, but only if no sign prohibits them. Before turning right on red, you must yield to all pedestrians in the crosswalk and all vehicles with a green light.
You Must Yield to Emergency Vehicles
All vehicles must yield the right-of-way to emergency vehicles displaying activated lights and sirens. When an emergency vehicle approaches, you must pull to the right side of the road and stop. If you are in an intersection when an emergency vehicle approaches, proceed through the intersection before pulling over.
Never stop in an intersection to yield to an emergency vehicle, as this blocks the intersection and may prevent the emergency vehicle from passing.
If you have been injured in an intersection accident caused by another party, you may be entitled to recover compensation for your damages. At Rosen Injury Law, our Fort Lauderdale car accident lawyers can help protect your rights to secure maximum compensation for your claim.
Call (954) 787-1500 or complete the short form on our contact page and schedule a free consultation to discuss your case.