Right of Way Laws in Pennsylvania

September 24, 2024 | Car Accidents

Right of Way Laws in Pennsylvania

Right-of-way laws are intended to keep traffic flowing smoothly and prevent accidents. When everyone follows the rules, it’s clear who should go first. Unfortunately, things aren’t always clear-cut on the road. There are many situations where it’s not obvious who has the right of way, and even when it is obvious, not everyone follows the rules.

Pennsylvania has specific laws about who has the right of way in various situations. It’s important for anyone who drives to be familiar with these laws, as right-of-way violations are a common cause of crashes. Over one-third of car crashes involving teenage drivers happen at intersections due to failure to follow proper right-of-way procedures.

Basic Right-of-Way Rules In Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania has some basic right-of-way rules that apply in most situations:

  • Last to arrive yields to first
  • Left yields to right
  • Bigger vehicles yield to smaller ones (as well as pedestrians)
  • Stopped or slow yields to moving
  • Secondary roads yield to the main road
  • Entering traffic yields to oncoming traffic
  • Emergency vehicles with sirens and lights on always have the right of way
  • Vehicles in funeral processions always have the right of way

Failure to follow these rules can lead to serious car and truck accidents and expose negligent drivers to personal injury claims. The at-fault party may also be liable for fines, points on their driving record, and increased insurance premiums. 

Intersections and Right of Way

Here’s a closer look at Pennsylvania’s right-of-way laws regarding different types of intersections:

Controlled Intersections

At intersections with traffic lights or stop signs, the signals determine who has the right of way. But even here, it’s not always simple. For example, when approaching a green light, you must still yield to pedestrians and vehicles already in the intersection. 

Uncontrolled Intersections

Uncontrolled intersections are even more complicated, as they have no traffic lights or stop signs. Drivers must treat these intersections like a four-way stop. The first vehicle to arrive has the right of way. If two vehicles arrive at the same time, the one on the right goes first. Also, vehicles going straight have the right of way over-turning vehicles.

T-Intersections

At T-intersections, vehicles on the through road have the right of way. If you’re on the road that ends, you must yield to traffic on the through road.

Special Situations

Some scenarios have their own specific right-of-way rules:

Roundabouts

In roundabouts, vehicles already in the circle have the right of way. Vehicles entering the roundabout must yield.

Merging

When entering a highway or interstate, the merging vehicle must yield to traffic already on the roadway.

Pedestrians Crossings

Pedestrians often have the right of way by default, but not always. In Harrisburg and throughout Pennsylvania, drivers must yield to pedestrians in crosswalks, whether marked or unmarked. If a pedestrian is crossing at an intersection, drivers must stop and wait until they’re safely across. This also applies in school zones and areas with crossing guards. 

However, if a pedestrian crosses a street with no intersection and no crosswalk, they must yield to oncoming vehicles. Many pedestrians don’t know this rule, mistakenly assuming that they always have the right of way at intersections.

Regardless, drivers have a duty to exercise caution and avoid hitting pedestrians, even if the pedestrian doesn’t have the right of way. 

Emergency Vehicles

Emergency vehicles like ambulances, fire trucks, and police cars always have the right of way. Additionally, funeral processions have the right of way in Pennsylvania. These vehicles can proceed through intersections if the lead vehicle has already crossed legally. 

Never Insist On Taking the Right of Way

It’s important to remember that you never actually “have” the right of way — the law only states who must yield. This means you should never insist on taking the right of way. If another driver doesn’t yield when they should, let them go. It’s better to be safe than right.

If you’ve been injured in a car accident, please contact Marzzacco Niven & Associates at the nearest location to schedule a free consultation today:

Harrisburg Law Office
945 East Park Drive, Suite 103 Harrisburg, PA 17111
(717) 231-1640

York Law Office
2550 Kingston Road, Suite 210A York, PA 17401
(717) 995-8998

Wyomissing Law Office
833 N. Park Road, Suite 103, Room A Wyomissing, PA 19610
(717) 388-2325

Chambersburg Law Office
79 St. Paul Drive, Suite 1 Chambersburg, PA 17201
(717) 388-2378

Carlisle Law Office
354 Alexander Springs Road Carlisle, PA 17015
(717) 995-8732

Carbondale Law Office
30 Lincoln Avenue, Suite 101 Carbondale, PA 18407
(717) 995-8810

Lancaster Law Office
2173 Embassy Drive, Ste 123, Lancaster PA 17603
(717) 616-2954

Lebanon Law Office
937 Willow Street, Suite D Lebanon, PA 17042-1140
(717) 995-8963