Traffic laws are quite detailed and establish rules that guide you in most of the situations you are likely to encounter. Many Florida motor vehicle crashes are caused by motorists who violate the traffic code and put themselves and others at risk.

In many cases, who has the right of way is obvious: green lights are unequivocal and most people know how to handle the first in - first out rule of an all-way-stop intersection.

In other cases, rules are less well known or confusing, such as the "right of way" rule.

The concept of right of way

The traffic code never really grants a right of way but will tell you when you should yield the right of way to another person or vehicle.

This would be the case in the following circumstances:

• When you enter the roadway from a parking space;
• When you drive on an unpaved road intersecting with a paved road;
• When you turn left at an intersection, yielding to pedestrians, oncoming vehicles, etc.;
• When a crossing vehicle has already entered the intersection;
• When you arrive at the through road of a T-intersection;
• When pedestrians enter a crosswalk;
• When disabled persons attempt to cross the road;
• At yield signs.

If several vehicles arrive at an intersection at the same time, the prevailing rule is that you yield to the vehicle to your right.

If you drive on a merging lane, you should not cut into another vehicle's path and force it to slow down. The merging lane vehicles need to slow down first, signal their intention to enter the lane and wait until an open space allows them to do so.

If you have been hurt in a car, truck or motorcycle accident caused by someone else, call the Daytona Beach attorneys of Johnson & Gilbert PA today toll free at (800) 556-8890 and locally at (386) 673-4412, or send our lawyers an email to arrange a free consultation.