A guide to right-of-way laws in Georgia
The rules of the road are there for your safety. If you do not follow them, you could be involved in an accident that could damage or completely destroy your vehicle, and result in serious injury or even death. Most traffic accidents are due to non-observance of laws regarding the right of way, so it is very important that you understand them.
“Right of way” is a term that defines who has the right to enter the roadway, change lanes, drive through intersections, turn or make other movements when there is traffic. It is vital that motorists and pedestrians understand the right-of-way laws equally, and it is equally important that you know when to give up the right-of-way, even when the other person may be wrong.
Summary of Georgia Right-of-Way Laws
In Georgia, the laws on the right of way can be summarized as follows:
If you are driving to an intersection and approach a stop sign, you must stop and give way to anyone in a vehicle or on foot who is already at the intersection or is close enough that you cannot pass. without the risk of colliding.
If there is no stop sign or signal, you must give way to whoever arrives at the intersection first. If you arrive at the same (or nearly the same) time, then the vehicle on the right has priority.
At four-way stops, pedestrians have the right of way. Vehicles can then move on a first-come, first-served basis. If two vehicles arrive at approximately the same time, the vehicle on the right will take precedence.
Although not the law, a little common sense and courtesy can often prevent accidents where the right of way cannot be reasonably determined.
When you approach a give way sign, you must slow down and be prepared to stop and give way to oncoming traffic.
When merging, give way to vehicles already on the roadway.
Where there are traffic lights, do not enter an intersection just because you have a green light on. You should continue only if you will not be blocking traffic from other directions.
When crossing a highway or entering from a secondary road, private road, or lane, give way to other vehicles and pedestrians already on the main roadway.
You must, without exception, give way to fire, police or other emergency vehicles when their sirens sound and blue and red lights flash. Slow down and move to the side of the road. If you are at an intersection, continue driving until you leave the intersection and then stop. You must also always yield to highway maintenance vehicles.
Penalties for non-compliance
In Georgia, if you fail to yield the right of way, you will be charged a three-point fine against your driver's license. Penalties will vary from county to county, but generally you can expect a fine of $140 to $225 for failing to yield to another private vehicle and up to $550 if you fail to yield to an emergency or repair vehicle.
For more information, see the Georgia Driver's Manual, Section 5, pages 22-23.
