How To Avoid A Car Accident At Florida Intersections

Navigating intersections, especially in busy cities like Delray Beach, Boynton Beach, and Boca Raton, can be a challenging experience for many drivers. Understanding the importance of the rules at a 4-way stop can be the difference between a smooth drive and a potentially dangerous car accident. 

Zappitell Law Firm has been representing clients involved in accidents at 4-way stops for decades. Our experience has allowed us to provide you with some simple rules to follow when approaching any intersection.

Let’s dive deep into the intricacies of intersection etiquette and ensure that you’re equipped with the knowledge to make your drive safer.

Right-Of-Way General Rules

The rules of right-of-way are important for ensuring the safe and smooth flow of traffic. In Florida, as in most states, the rules are designed to help drivers know who should go first in different traffic scenarios. 

Here’s a brief explanation of some of the key rules of right-of-way in Florida including who goes first on a 4-way stop to help you avoid a needless fender bender:

Intersections

• At an intersection with stop signs at all corners, the driver who arrives and stops first goes first. If two vehicles arrive at the same time, the vehicle on the right has the right of way.
• At an intersection with no signs or signals, which is rare, the driver on the left should yield to the driver on the right.
• Vehicles already in the intersection have the right of way over vehicles that have not yet entered.

Roundabouts

• Vehicles in the roundabout have the right of way.
• Vehicles entering the roundabout must yield to vehicles already in the roundabout.

Driveways and Alleys

• Drivers entering a roadway from a driveway, alley, parking lot, or roadside must yield to vehicles already in the roadway.

Pedestrians

• Pedestrians in a crosswalk (marked or unmarked) have the right of way. Vehicles must stop for them.
• However, pedestrians must not suddenly walk into the path of a vehicle that is so close it’s impossible for the vehicle to yield.

Emergency Vehicles

• Emergency vehicles (e.g., police cars, ambulances, fire trucks) using sirens and/or flashing lights have the right of way.
• Drivers must pull over to the closest side of the road and stop until the emergency vehicle has passed.

Buses

• In many areas, when a bus signals to pull back onto the roadway from a bus stop, drivers in the adjacent lane must yield.

Highways

• Vehicles entering a highway from an entrance ramp must yield to vehicles already on the highway.
• On multi-lane roads, the left lane is typically for faster-moving or passing traffic. If you are traveling slower than the traffic flow, keep to the right and allow others to pass. 

Bicycles

• Bicyclists are treated as vehicles on the road. They have the same rights and responsibilities as motor vehicles.
  • When making a turn, drivers must yield to bicyclists traveling straight through an intersection.