Right Of Way Laws In Florida

Paul Brannon | December 5, 2024 | Florida Law

Before you get a driver’s license in Florida, you are tested on your knowledge of the rules of the road. That test should presumably include an extensive knowledge of driver right-of-way laws. Unfortunately, even after getting a driver’s license, many drivers are still confused about right-of-way rules.

Accurately determining who has the right of way is often how drivers avoid getting into car accidents. If your knowledge of right-of-way laws has lapsed slightly, the following will help you determine who has the right-of-way in situations you may encounter while driving in Florida.

Right of Way At Intersections

State law is very explicit about the right-of-way laws at intersections. If there is a traffic light that controls the intersection, you must give the right of way to the cross lane when your light is red. You are expected to slow down when the light turns yellow. If it turns red while you are in the intersection, you are violating the law.

At an intersection with a four-way stop sign, the first vehicle to arrive has the right of way, regardless of how it is proceeding through the intersection. When multiple vehicles arrive at the same time, a vehicle on the left must yield to one on the right. If both vehicles are across from each other, the vehicle turning left will yield to the other.

Backing Up Right-Of-Way Regulations

The laws are quite simple when backing up a vehicle on public roads. The vehicle that is backing up must give the right of way to any vehicle that is not backing up. This also applies when backing out of a driveway onto a public road.

Parking Lot Right-Of-Way Rules

Parking lots have fewer rules than public roads. The most important regulation, though, is the one designed to prevent pedestrian accidents. Pedestrians have the right of way over vehicles while in a parking lot.

When a driver needs to determine the right of way between their vehicle and another, whichever vehicle is pulling out of a space has the right of way over a vehicle in the lane. However, when both vehicles are in a lane, there is no clear rule for determining the right of way.

Right-of-way Regulations When Sharing the Road With a Motorcycle

Motorcycles mostly follow the same rules as other passenger vehicles when traveling on public roads. However, there are some differences that you should be aware of. The most important is that two motorcycles may ride abreast in a lane, but a motorcycle may not ride adjacent to any other type of vehicle in a lane.

Also, motorcycles handle differently than cars. As such, you should give plenty of room to a motorcycle when traveling behind it. The distance that you might think is safe for driving behind a car could easily be tailgating for a motorcycle, which can usually stop more quickly than a car.

Also, to avoid getting into a motorcycle accident, make sure that you look for these smaller vehicles when making left turns. If you don’t yield the right of way because you failed to notice a motorcycle, you are as much at fault as if you had seen it and turned anyway.

Avoiding Right-Of-Way Violations

While it isn’t always possible to know who has the right of way in any given situation, you will typically avoid right of way violations if you drive cautiously. Be aware of your surroundings and yield the right of way to another driver if you have any doubts about who should get it.

Contact Our Car Accident Law Firm in Northwest Florida

If you need legal assistance, contact the Fort Walton Beach car accident lawyers at Brannon & Brannon Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers at your nearest location to schedule a free consultation today.

We have two convenient locations in Northwest Florida:

Brannon & Brannon Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers – Fort Walton Beach Office
975 Mar Walt Dr
Fort Walton Beach, FL 32547
(850) 863-5297

Brannon & Brannon Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers – Destin Office
4507 Furling Ln Suite 214
Destin, FL 32541
(850) 790-0243