What Does Yielding the Right of Way Mean in South Carolina?
Do you know what a yield sign means when you see one in an intersection? Most people probably think they understand this common traffic law. However, the failure to yield the right of way is one of the most common causes of South Carolina car accidents.
Understanding what exactly it means to yield the right of way is crucial for two reasons. First, you may cause an accident that could result in serious injury. Second, the failure to yield is a traffic violation punishable by a fine and demerit points on your driver’s license.
Defining “Yield” in Driving
To yield means to exercise caution before proceeding. When you approach a yield sign, you must first check for cars or pedestrians coming from all directions. If necessary, you must stop to let other vehicles pass. When yielding, you are giving up the right of way until it is safe to proceed.
Defining the “Right of Way” in Driving
A misconception that may lead to vehicle accidents is that “right of way” is the same thing as the right to proceed. South Carolina traffic laws clarify who does not have the right of way, not who does. Insisting on proceeding into traffic when it compromises your own safety or that of others could result in serious legal consequences, including a personal injury or wrongful death suit.
What “Yielding the Right of Way” Means in South Carolina
What does yielding the right of way mean in SC? Unfortunately, the answer to that question may depend on the person you ask. However, yield traffic laws are the same for every driver, including bus drivers, truck drivers, and Uber or Lyft drivers.
A summary of South Carolina’s right-of-way laws can be explained in seven simple points.
1. When approaching an intersection with no traffic signals or signs, every driver must yield to the driver(s) that were already present in the intersection upon approach.
2. When entering an intersection with another vehicle at the same time, it is the responsibility of the driver to the left to yield the right of way to the driver on the right.
3. Unless there is a sign present that says you cannot do so, it is lawful to make a right turn on a red light. However, you must first stop and yield to any traffic or pedestrians already present in the intersection.
4. When planning to turn left on a green light, you must yield the right of way to pedestrians and opposing traffic.
5. What does “yield the right of way” mean regarding emergency vehicles? It means you must always give the right of way to ambulances, police vehicles, and fire engines when their sirens or flashing lights are engaged. Pull to the side of the road as soon as it is safe to do so. Do not pull over in an intersection.
6. Pedestrians in an intersection must always be given the right of way. Yield to pedestrians when they have entered an intersection lawfully or unlawfully.
7. Yield the right of way to children entering or exiting a school bus under all conditions.
Know South Carolina Traffic Laws To Help You Avoid Car Accidents
There are approximately 140,000 traffic collisions in South Carolina every year. Many of those are caused because people don’t know the answer to “What does yielding the right of way mean?” You may be entitled to financial compensation if you’ve been injured due to someone else’s negligence. Contact the lawyers at Elrod Pope Accident & Injury Attorneys by calling 803-324-7574 to learn more about your legal rights.