Right-of-Way (yield to)
Crossing at Crosswalks
A crosswalk is the portion of the roadway meant to be used for pedestrian crossings. Crosswalks can be marked on the pavement surface, however, a crosswalk exists across most intersection approaches even if no crosswalk marking is present Where a traf c signal is in operation, drivers and pedestrians must obey the traf c signal. A driver may not pass any vehicle that is stopped at a crosswalk. Drivers must yield to pedestrians when turning on a steady green signal and when making a turn, after stopping, where turning on a red signal is permitted.
Mopeds and Scooters
All traf c laws apply to drivers of mopeds and motor scooters. Drivers of cars must always be alert for mopeds and scooters, as their size makes them very dif cult to see. Mopeds and scooters may be ridden on any roadways where the posted maximum speed limit is 50 miles per hour or less. They may be riding side-by-side or alone, and on the roadway or on the shoulder. Generally, they are to be ridden as near to the right side of the roadway as practical and safe. Be especially cautious of mopeds and scooters at intersections when they may be turning or going straight through the intersection, and on narrow roadways with little room for passing.
Emergency Vehicles
Authorized emergency vehicles, such as police cars, ambulances and re engines, have the right- of-way when they are using their audible or visual signals, i.e. sirens and ashing lights. • Immediately after you see or hear an emergency vehicle approaching that is using its signals, you must move as close as possible to the edge of the roadway, clear of any intersection, and remain stopped until the emergency vehicle has passed. • If you are proceeding in the same direction as an emergency vehicle using its signals, you may not pass the emergency vehicle unless the emergency vehicle stops or you are otherwise directed by a police of cer. • If you are approaching an emergency vehicle or tow truck that is using its visual signals and is stopped on a roadway, you must pull into an available lane not immediately adjacent to the emergency vehicle or tow truck. If it is not possible to move over, you must slow down to a safe speed for the conditions and be prepared to stop if necessary.
School Vehicles
Drivers are to stop for school vehicles. If a school vehicle has stopped on a roadway and is operating the alternately ashing red lights, the driver of any vehicle following or approaching the school vehicle shall: • stopatleast20feetfromtherearoftheschool vehicle, if approaching the school vehicle from its rear; or • at least 20 feet from the front of the school vehicle, if approaching the school vehicle from its front. The driver of any vehicle following or approaching the school vehicle may not proceed until the school vehicle resumes motion or the alternately ashing red lights are deactivated. This does not apply to the driver of a vehicle on a physically divided highway.
Blind or Deaf Pedestrians or Mobility Impaired Individuals Right-of-Way at Crossings
Drivers should be especially alert for pedestrians who are deaf, blind or mobility impaired. These individuals may have dif culty detecting oncoming traf c and may need extra time to cross the road. The driver of a vehicle shall yield the right-of-way to: • a blind or partially blind pedestrian carrying a clearly visible white cane or accompanied by a guide dog/service animal; • adeaforpartiallydeafpersonaccompanied by a guide/service dog; • amobility-impairedindividualusingamanual or motorized wheelchair, motorized scooter, crutch, cane or walker.
Motorcycles
Motorcycles are vehicles with the same rights and privileges as any vehicle on the roadway. But in crashes, a motorcyclist is six times more likely to be hurt than a car driver. Motorcycles are smaller than cars and trucks, and it can be harder to judge the speed and distance of an oncoming motorcycle. Yield right-of-way to an oncoming motorcycle when turning left. Violating a motorcyclist's right of way can result in a citation with signi cant penalties if you cause a serious injury. Drivers are at fault in just over half of car crashes with motorcycles. Look twice before changing lanes or merging into traf c. Use your mirrors and look over your shoulder to be sure it is safe before merging or changing lanes. Motorcycles can be hidden in a vehicle's blind spot or missed in a quick look due to their smaller size. Do not share a lane with a motorcycle. Motorcyclists often adjust their position in the traf c lane to avoid road hazards like potholes or oil spills, because of wind, and to be seen by other road users. Motorcyclists are entitled to use the entire lane. Do not "tailgate" or drive too close to a motorcycle. Allow at least 3 to 4-second following distance between your vehicle and the motorcycle in front of you. Motorcycles may need to slow for road hazards like gravel, wet road or railroad crossings that don't affect cars the same way. Motorcyclists often reduce speed by downshifting or merely rolling off the throttle, which do not activate the brake light. So, be alert and leave plenty of space around motorcycles. Allow plenty of space between your vehicle and the motorcycle when passing. Wind gusts and drafts from a passing vehicle can affect a motorcycle. After passing a rider, make sure you can see the motorcycle's headlight in your rearview mirror before moving back into the lane. If you are being passed by a motorcycle, simply maintain your speed and allow the motorcyclist to complete their passing. Use care when driving near a group of motorcyclists. Motorcyclists participate in organized rides which can involve many motorcycles. Driving around these groups requires communication and patience. If you need to change lanes or reach an exit, signal your intention early and wait for the riders in the group to create gap for you. Do not merge in between groups or riders unless there is suf cient space to do so. If it is a small group, it may be easier to slow and let the group pass before making our lane change.
Pedestrian Right-of-Way
Pedestrians have the right-of-way at street crossings but must obey traf c control signals. Where a traf c signal is not present, vehicles must stop for pedestrians in a crosswalk, whether marked or unmarked when a pedestrian is: • on the half of the roadway on which the vehicle is traveling; or, • approaching from the nearest lane on the other half of the roadway.
Bicycles
Right-of-Way By Maryland law, bicycles are vehicles. Bicyclists are authorized users of the roadway, and have rights-of-way and the same duty to obey all traf c signals as motorists. But bicyclists are less visible, quieter, and don't have a protective barrier around them. Motorists must drive carefully near bicyclists: even a slight mistake can result in serious injury or even death. Expect Bicyclists on the Road Expect to nd a bicyclist on all types of roads (except interstate highways and toll facilities), at all intersections and roundabouts, in all types of weather, and at all times of the day and night. Bicyclists may ride out in the travel lane for their own safety due to narrow roads, or to avoid obstacles or pavement hazards. On roads without shoulders, or with cars parked along the right side, often the safest place for a bicyclist to ride is in the center of the lane. In Maryland, a bicyclist may use the full lane even while traveling substantially below the speed of traf c if the lane is too narrow for a car to safely pass a bicycle within the lane). Before opening a car door, check for bicyclists who may be approaching from behind. Following a Bicyclist As you approach a bicyclist, slow down. Avoid honking your horn. Bicyclists can usually hear an approaching vehicle and loud noises can startle bicyclists, causing a crash. Bicycles do not have turn signals so bicyclists use hand and arm signals to alert you of their intentions. Do not follow a bicycle too closely. Remember that small holes, glass, and other hazards can be particularly dangerous to bicyclists. Bicycles can stop and maneuver quickly so a bicyclist may swerve or change speed to avoid a road hazard that a motorist cannot see. Pass with Care -- Give Bikes at Least 3 Feet Pass a bicyclist as you would any slowly moving vehicle. Be prepared to slow down, wait until oncoming traf c is clear and then allow at least 3 feet of clearance between your car and the bicyclist when passing. The same 3-foot clearance applies if you are passing a bicyclist in a bike lane, on the shoulder, or in the same lane as your car. After passing a bicyclist, check your mirror to ensure that you have completely passed the bicycle with enough room before you move back to the right. Use Caution at Intersections, Bridges and Driveways Always assume that bicyclists are traveling straight through an intersection unless they signal otherwise, and yield to bicycles just as you would to any other vehicle. Bicyclists often ride on sidewalks and trails, so look both ways before crossing a sidewalk or trail. A bicycle may come from an unexpected direction. Never make a right turn from a through lane immediately after passing a bike on a shoulder or bike lane. Try to avoid any chance that a bicycle will be to your right or in your right blind spot when you turn right. Before starting a right turn, move as far to the right as practicable within the bike lane, shoulder, or right turn lane. Yield to bicycles as to any other vehicle proceeding straight. Do not turn left immediately in front of a bicycle. Experienced bicyclists often ride very fast (as fast as 35 mph!) and may be closer than you think. If you are passing a left-turning vehicle by moving right, rst look closely for bicycles. Wherever a travel way narrows for a bridge, parked cars, or other obstructions on the right, be prepared for a bicyclist riding on the shoulder to merge left into the main traf c lane. Driving at Night If you see a dim re ective object at night do not assume that it is outside of the roadway. It could be a bicycle in the main travel lane. Bicyclists sometimes avoid shoulders at night when cars are not present because tree branches, potholes, debris, and even the edge of the pavement are dif cult to see. Your headlights may provide enough light for the bicyclist to safely move into the shoulder for you to pass, but it takes longer at night. When approaching a bicycle, use your low beam headlights Watch for Children Children on bicycles are sometimes unpredictable. Expect the unexpected and remember they are small in stature and may be hard to see. Young bicyclists are especially likely to make surprising changes in direction. Be aware of bicyclists entering the roadway from driveways or near parked cars. Strictly observe speed limits in school zones and in residential areas to allow time to see, and safely share the road with, young bicyclists.
Large Trucks
Watch for turning trucks. Trucks make wide turns at intersections and require additional space. When making a right turn, large trucks will often move left prior to making the turn. Car drivers may see this as a lane change to the left and attempt to pass on the right. Passing any truck on the right can be risky. Wait to assess the truck driver's intent before passing. If a truck is stopped at or approaching an intersection, never attempt to cut in along the right side, as the truckdriverbeginstheirturn.Youcould ndyourself caught between the turning truck and the curb. When passing a truck that is going in the same direction, pass quickly to resume visibility and change lanes only when you can see both of the truck's headlights in your rearview mirror. Many intersections are marked with stop lines. Crowding the intersection by stopping beyond the stop line can leave your vehicle exposed to trucks attempting to turn from a cross street. Never cut in front of a truck. Fully loaded trucks can weigh more than 80,000 pounds and take the length of a football eld to stop. Most cars weigh only 2,000 pounds.
The entrance and acceleration ramp yield
drivers already on a limited access or interstate highway, if you are on the entrance or acceleration ramp
Traffic lane yield
drivers in the opposing traffic lane,when you are making a left turn
The highway yield
drivers on a public high way,if you are entering the highway from a driveway or a private road
T intersection yield
drivers on the through highway, if you are at a "T" intersection and you are entering the through highway by either making a right or left turn
Yield sign yield
other drivers, if you are approaching an intersection with a Yield sign facing you
People in the way yield
pedestrians, bicyclists, and other drivers who are still in the intersection
Four way intersection with stop signs yield
the driver on your right at a four way intersection controlled by stop signs
Intersection yield of same time
the driver on your right, if both of you arrive at the intersection at the same time
Intersection yield
the driver who is at or arrives before you at the intersection