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Right-of-way laws in Georgia are designed to regulate the flow of traffic and ensure safety on the roads. Understanding these laws is crucial for drivers and pedestrians to avoid accidents and legal issues. It also helps to determine who was at fault and if you might have a case after an accident. The Official Code Of Georgia Annotated Laws (O.C.G.A.) governs these general right-of-way rules.
Legal Codes Outlining The General Right-of-Way Rules In Georgia.
1. General Right-of-Way Rules
- Drivers must obey official traffic-control devices unless directed otherwise by a police officer. (O.C.G.A. section 40-6-20)
- Drivers must yield to pedestrians and other vehicles as indicated by these signals. (O.C.G.A. section 40-6-21)
2. Intersections
- At intersections with no traffic control devices, the driver on the left must yield to the driver on the right if both arrive simultaneously. (O.C.G.A. section 40-6-70)
- At intersections, the driver must yield to vehicles already in the intersection or those approaching so closely as to constitute an immediate hazard. (O.C.G.A. section 40-6-71)
- At intersections controlled by stop signs, drivers must stop and yield to any vehicle that has entered the intersection from another highway or is approaching so closely as to be an immediate hazard. (O.C.G.A. section 40-6-72)
- There are rules for yielding when entering or crossing a roadway from a private road, driveway, alley, or building. (O.C.G.A. section 40-6-73)
3. Pedestrians
- Drivers must stop to allow pedestrians to cross the roadway within a crosswalk when the pedestrian is on the same half of the roadway as the vehicle or approaching from the opposite half. (O.C.G.A. section 40-6-91)
- Pedestrians must yield the right of way to vehicles when crossing a roadway anywhere other than within a marked crosswalk or an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection. (O.C.G.A. section 40-6-92)
4. Emergency Vehicles
- Drivers must yield the right of way to emergency vehicles with audible and visible signals. They must immediately pull over to the right-hand edge or curb of the roadway and stop. (O.C.G.A. 40-6-74)
5. School Buses
- Drivers must stop for school buses receiving or discharging passengers and may only proceed once the bus resumes motion or the signal arm is no longer extended.
6. Highways and Interstates
- When entering or merging onto a highway, the driver must yield to vehicles already there. (O.C.G.A. section 40-6-75)
7. Roundabouts
- Vehicles entering a roundabout must yield to traffic already circulating within the roundabout. (O.C.G.A. section 40-6-77)
8. Funeral Processions
- Vehicles must yield the right of way to funeral processions. They must not drive between vehicles forming a funeral procession except when directed by a law enforcement officer. (O.C.G.A. section 40-6-76)
Takeaway
Understanding and adhering to these right-of-way laws is crucial for safe driving and avoiding legal consequences in Georgia. The Georgia Code (O.C.G.A.) provides detailed statutes that govern these laws, ensuring clarity and uniformity across the state. For more detailed information, refer to the sections of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated (O.C.G.A.) listed above. If you were in an accident and need assistance determining whether you have a case based on the statutes above, contact our experienced personal injury attorneys at Gautreaux Law in Georgia. We can guide you through your case and fight for the compensation you deserve.