A Guide to Right-of-Way Laws in Wyoming
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Wyoming has right-of-way laws so people know who must stop at an intersection and who can continue. The law does not define who has the right of way, only who must grant it under certain circumstances. Right-of-way laws work because not everyone behaves according to common sense. This should be defined in the law so that everyone understands what they must do.
Summary of Wyoming Right of Way Laws
Right-of-way laws in Wyoming can be summarized as follows:
Intersections
When approaching an intersection where there are no traffic lights or road signs, you must yield right-of-way to the first person at the intersection and then to the motorist on the right.
When turning at an unmarked intersection, you must always give way to through traffic.
Even if you have a clear right of way, you must still give way to any vehicle that is close enough, as if you do not give way, an accident may occur.
Carousel
- When approaching a roundabout, you must always give way to pedestrians and traffic that is already at the roundabout.
Ambulances
You will know when an ambulance is coming because you hear a siren or see flashing lights. When this happens, you must pull over and give way.
Do not stop if you are already at the intersection. Move on, and then once you've cleared the intersection and can pull over safely, do so.
Pedestrians
You must give way to a pedestrian at a crosswalk, whether it is marked or not.
If you are making a legal turn at a red light, you must first check for pedestrians, and if they are at a crosswalk on your half of the road, you must give way to them.
Blind pedestrians always have the right of way. They can cross the road in such a way that it will be a violation and a fine if a sighted pedestrian does it. A blind pedestrian can be identified by a white cane or the presence of a guide dog.
Common Misconceptions About Wyoming Right of Way Laws
Many motorists believe that pedestrians are essentially getting a "free ride". Actually it is not. A pedestrian who crosses the road towards a traffic light or crosses the road, thereby obstructing the movement of traffic, may be charged with failure to yield the right of way. However, public safety is always more important than personal rights, so even if the pedestrian is clearly breaking the rules, you must give him the right of way.
Penalties for non-compliance
Wyoming does not have a points system, but violations are recorded in your driving record. If you fail to yield the right of way, you can be fined between $100 and $750, depending on the severity of the violation.
For more information, see Wyoming Highway Code, pages 41-48.
