The Florida State Uniform Traffic Control statutes define the state’s right-of-way rules, which determine which drivers can proceed and which must wait when vehicles arrive on the same stretch of road. These rules control four-way stops, parking lot entrances and exits, and freeway onramps.
Drivers learn these procedures from the Florida Driver Guide in their driver’s education courses. They help prevent collisions in intersections, merging lanes, and driveway entrances or exits. When drivers forget or ignore their training, these rules help determine who caused the resulting crash and must pay for the other party’s losses.
Continue with this definitive legal guide to Florida right-of-way laws by experienced Florida car accident lawyer Aaron Silvers.
Intersections are inherently dangerous, as drivers, motorcyclists, pedestrians, and cyclists approach from different directions. Clearly defined right-of-way rules tell drivers when to take their turn to avoid colliding with other road users.
Violations of Florida right-of-way laws are the leading cause of intersection and left turn collisions. Drivers can easily determine who has the right-of-way at traffic lights. Drivers facing a red light must stop until the light turns green and any cars already in the intersection move through.
Drivers facing a green light can proceed as long as the intersection is clear. They have the right-of-way until the light turns red. Drivers facing a yellow light have the right-of-way, but the light warns them that it will imminently turn red.
Drivers must also obey traffic officer commands at intersections. For example, if a police officer takes control of an intersection near a collision, drivers follow their directions instead of applying the normal right-of-way rules. Specifically, the driver must stop when the officer tells them to and proceed when signaled to move.
Right-of-way procedures are slightly more complicated at intersections without traffic signals or police officers. The state has three statutes defining right-of-way at these intersections.
Florida Statutes Chapter 316.123 governs stop and yield intersections.
Drivers must stop at stop signs behind the line or crosswalk. If there’s no line or crosswalk, they must stop before entering the intersection. If the cross-traffic has no sign, drivers must wait until the intersection clears and there are no vehicles close enough to pose an “immediate hazard.”
For four-way stops, drivers can proceed in the order in which they arrive at the intersection. When multiple drivers arrive simultaneously, the driver on the left must yield to the driver on the right.
Drivers must slow at yield signs and stop if there’s any cross-traffic. They can proceed past the sign when the intersection is clear and no drivers are approaching.
Florida Statutes Chapter 316.121 defines the right-of-way at intersections without signs. Under this law, drivers must yield to vehicles already in an intersection. If two motorists arrive simultaneously, the driver to the left must yield to the driver on the right.
The final provision applies to drivers on unpaved roads approaching city roads or highways. The driver on the unpaved road must yield to vehicles on the paved road.
Under Florida Statutes Chapter 316.1235, drivers at inoperative traffic lights follow the same Florida right-of-way laws as drivers at four-way stops. In other words, drivers proceed in the order of arrival. When multiple drivers arrive at the same time, the one on the right has the right-of-way.
Traffic engineers designed roundabouts to eliminate left turns. Cars move in the same direction around the traffic circle, and drivers exit at the desired road. For example, let’s say you want to use the road to your left. Rather than making a left turn, you would merge with traffic in the circle and continue until you reach the desired road.
According to Florida right-of-way laws, drivers must yield to vehicles already in the roundabout. Many roundabouts include yield signs to warn approaching motorists to slow down or stop before attempting to merge.
A driver must reduce their speed as they approach the roundabout, though they can enter the roundabout without stopping if it’s clear. However, they must stop if there are any vehicles close enough to pose a hazard. The driver exiting the roundabout has the right-of-way and doesn’t need to stop or slow down.
Florida Statutes Chapter 316.122 determines which driver has the right-of-way when turning left. These rules apply to all left turns, including those made into intersections, driveways, or parking lot entrances or exits.
The driver making the left turn must yield to any vehicles that are:
These rules change at a protected left turn signal. A driver may turn left on a solid green arrow even when other vehicles are stopped or approaching the intersection because they have a red light. When facing a flashing green arrow or a solid yellow light, the turning driver must yield according to state law.
Florida generally allows U-turns when the following two conditions are met:
By implication, jurisdictions can prohibit U-turns in certain locations by posting signs. If a driver attempts to make a U-turn in these locations, they can receive a traffic citation even if they observe all applicable Florida right-of-way laws.
The rules applying to U-turns include making the turn from the leftmost lane and yielding to traffic approaching in the opposite direction. Drivers can use protected left turn lights to make U-turns without yielding as long as there’s no sign prohibiting them.
When a driver approaches a street or highway, they must follow the right-of-way rules set out in Florida Statutes Chapter 316.125. This law applies to drivers entering or crossing streets or highways from any of the following:
According to these rules, the driver approaching the street or highway must stop before crossing or entering the sidewalk and yield to vehicles close enough to pose an immediate hazard. Many roads, driveways, and alleys have stop signs that impose the same right-of-way rules.
Florida has a “move over” law that applies to drivers passing any of the following vehicles when they’re parked on the shoulder:
This law has two parts. First, the driver must move to the left to avoid the rightmost lane next to the shoulder. If they can’t do so because the lane is occupied or reserved for oncoming traffic, they must slow down to 20 miles per hour below the speed limit.
Thus, on a freeway with a posted speed limit of 60 miles per hour, a driver who can’t move left must slow to 40 miles per hour or less. If the posted speed limit is 20 miles per hour or less, the driver must slow to five miles per hour.
This rule serves as a complement to Florida Statutes Chapter 316.125 and other statutes. For example, under Florida Statutes Chapter 316.126, drivers must yield the right-of-way to emergency vehicles using their sirens and lights. They must pull over to the side of the road or clear the way when they’re in or approaching an intersection.
Drivers must also obey Florida right-of-way laws while proceeding straight on a highway. These laws apply when drivers merge, pass, or change lanes.
Merging drivers must yield to vehicles on the road they’re merging onto. In many locations, yield signs are present to remind drivers of this rule. However, the law applies even in merging areas without signs.
Florida Statutes Chapter 316.085 covers the right-of-way rules on multi-lane roads.
Generally, the driver who wants to change lanes or pass other motorists must yield to vehicles in an adjacent lane. In other words, they can only move over when the way is clear. If a vehicle is next to them or approaching from behind, they’re supposed to remain in their lane until they can maneuver without interfering with the other driver.
The interaction between vehicles, pedestrians, and bicyclists is a complicated dance that can result in serious or even fatal injuries when any of them fail to follow the right-of-way rules. Pedestrians follow a different set of rules than vehicles.
Bicycles are considered vehicles and generally follow the same right-of-way rules as motor vehicles, with a few limited exceptions. These rules also apply to e-bikes and e-scooters. However, riders of foot-powered devices, such as skateboards and push scooters, are considered pedestrians rather than cyclists.
The right-of-way rules for non-motorized vehicles are as follows:
People walking, riding in wheelchairs, or using foot-powered skateboards and scooters have the right-of-way when crossing the road in a marked crosswalk. They’re also presumed to have the right-of-way when crossing at an intersection without a marked crosswalk unless a sign prohibits crossing.
A pedestrian doesn’t have the right-of-way when crossing in the following situations:
Even when a pedestrian has the right-of-way, they should only proceed when drivers are far enough away to see them and stop safely. This isn’t a legal requirement but a safety requirement — stepping in front of a moving vehicle is never a good idea, even when it happens in a marked crosswalk.
Conversely, some pedestrians always have the right-of-way. Specifically, blind pedestrians carrying a white cane with a red tip or led by a guide dog have the right to proceed at will, and drivers must yield to them while they cross the road.
The rules governing cyclists treat them as drivers under some circumstances and pedestrians under others.
Notably, cyclists have the same right-of-way rights and restrictions when riding on roadways, including bike lanes and other bikeways. This means they must yield to oncoming traffic when turning left. They must also obey stop and yield signs.
Similarly, when a cyclist reaches a multi-way stop with other vehicles, they must proceed in the order of arrival. If they arrive simultaneously with other road users, the vehicle on the left must yield to the one on the right, even if the latter vehicle is a bicycle.
At the same time, bicycles are also governed by the right-of-way rules for pedestrians when using sidewalks and crosswalks. Bicycles are generally allowed on sidewalks unless prohibited by local ordinances. When riding on sidewalks, cyclists must yield to pedestrians.
Cyclists may choose to cross at intersections or marked crosswalks. However, when they do so, they must follow the same right-of-way rules as pedestrians. They can also choose to cross or turn on streets or highways like vehicles. They’re expected to follow the right-of-way rules for vehicles in such situations.
Florida right-of-way laws are intended to keep road users safe. When drivers violate these rules, collisions can occur. Accidents involving motorcyclists, pedestrians, or cyclists can result in serious or fatal injuries, particularly when they happen at intersections.
Schilling & Silvers Personal Injury & Car Accident Lawyers has extensive experience helping accident victims in Fort Lauderdale after they suffer injuries due to another driver’s negligent actions. Contact us today to speak with an experienced personal injury lawyer about your injuries and how we can assist you in addressing them.
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