Failure to yield the right of way

Understanding who has the right of way on a public road must be important to New York legislators, because there are more than a dozen violations in the vehicle and traffic law covering different aspects of this issue.

Many of these tickets carry a three-point penalty, including failure to yield right of way:

• approaching or in an intersection

• making a left turn

• at a stop sign or yield sign

• while entering a roadway

• at a traffic circle like the ones in Kingston

• to a pedestrian or particularly a blind person, and

• by driving around a vehicle stopped at a crosswalk or intersection.

Two points can be assessed for failing to move over for emergency vehicles, or for not using due care near bicyclists or animals, including horses.

If you are not clear on all the different rules around right of way, consider taking a refresher course (which can also provide an insurance discount and a reduction in points). If you have already been given a ticket for failure to yield, contact this office for a free consultation.