A guide to Texas travel laws
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Sometimes one driver has to give way to another or a pedestrian. It's common sense, common courtesy, and Texas law. Right-of-way laws are designed to protect both motorists and pedestrians, so they must be learned and followed.
Summary of Texas Right of Way Laws
Right-of-way laws in Texas can be summarized as follows:
Right of way at intersections
If you are driving on a dirt road and approaching a paved road, traffic on the paved road must have right of way.
If the intersection is not regulated, you must give way to a vehicle already at the intersection and on your right.
If you are turning left, you must give way to oncoming and oncoming vehicles and pedestrians.
When turning right, you must give way to vehicles and pedestrians.
If you are approaching an intersection from a carriageway, lane, or private road, you must yield to traffic on the main road.
If you are approaching a railroad crossing, the train always has right-of-way.
Give way to emergency vehicles
You must always give way to police cars, ambulances, fire engines or other emergency vehicles if they use a siren, bell or flashing red light.
If you are already at an intersection when you see or hear an ambulance, do not stop. Instead, continue through the intersection and then turn right as soon as it's safe for you.
Pedestrians
You should always be alert to pedestrians, whether or not they are legally crossing the road.
Pedestrians have a legal right of way on a green light in the absence of a "Go" signal.
Pedestrians who are already at a pedestrian crossing have the right of way if the traffic light changes to red during the crossing.
Even if a pedestrian breaks the law, in the interests of safety, you must give him priority.
Common Misconceptions About Texas Right of Way Laws
You may believe that if you don't concede, or commit another violation of the out-of-state moving rules, you'll be off the hook at home. You're wrong. The state of Texas has a point system, and your driver's license will receive demerit points even for offenses committed outside the state.
Penalties for non-compliance
Failure will result in your driver's license being assessed with two demerit points; three if the injury is the result of your inability to yield. Texas has high fines. If you fail to yield to a vehicle or pedestrian, you face a $50 to $200 fine. If you harm another person, the fine can range from $500 to $2,000. And if the injury is serious, the fine will be between $1,000 and $4,000.
For more information, see the Texas Driver's Handbook Chapter 4.
