Nearly every driver in Naples has likely encountered a situation where confusion existed over who had the right-of-way. It is a question that has been asked to us here at The Caldarone Law Group, P.A. many times. If you were in an accident where such confusion was present, then understanding how state law determines who has the right of way is vital in determining who is liable in your case.
Right-of-way is dependent on the scenario. Fortunately, Florida’s state statutes detail who has it in different situations. At an intersection, you must yield the right-of-way to a vehicle that is entering it from a different highway. If you both arrive at the intersection at the same time, you must allow the other vehicle to proceed first if it is to your left. If the other vehicle is entering into the intersection from a road not controlled by a traffic control device (e.g., a traffic light), you have the right-of-way. When attempting a left turn at an intersection, you must also yield the right-of-way to any vehicles approaching from the opposite direction.
Stop signs and yield signs also have their own right-of-way distinctions. At a stop sign, you are required to yield the right of way to any vehicles that have already entered the intersection from another highway (the same is true with yield signs). If you arrive at the stop sign at the same time as another vehicle, right-of-way again belongs to the vehicle on the left. Intersections with traffic lights that are not working should be treated as four-way stops.
Finally, you must always yield the right-of-way if you are entering on to a highway from a driveway, alleyway or private road. More information on the state’s driving regulations can be found here on our site.