John pulled out of his driveway on a quiet suburban street and paused at the end of the driveway. He looked both ways, saw nothing, and proceeded. Moments later, a bicyclist appeared on the sidewalk crossing the road at a corner. The bicyclist collided with John’s car. No one was badly hurt, but John was shaken—and confused. He’d thought he had the right-of-way, but clearly something went wrong. This scenario is all too common in Maryland. Knowing who must yield, and when, can prevent collisions, citations, and civil liability.
This blog post will help answer the question, do you know Maryland’s right of way rules?
What Is “Right‑of‑Way” in Maryland?
Right‑of‑way rules guide who must yield in the flow of traffic. They are not about privilege—they’re about safety and clarity. In effect, the law says, “If you don’t have the right-of-way, you must yield.” This concept covers various situations:
- Uncontrolled intersections – No stop signs or traffic lights.
- Controlled intersections – Marked with stop or yield signs, or red/yellow/green lights.
- Driveways and alleys – Cars entering the “favored” roadway must yield.
- Crosswalks and school zones – Special rules apply for pedestrians, including school patrols.
Knowing when to stop or slow down helps avoid collisions—and costly legal consequences.
Uncontrolled Intersections
At intersections lacking lights, stop signs, or yield signs, Maryland follows the common-law “priority to the right” rule. Drivers must yield to any vehicle approaching from the right. If two vehicles arrive simultaneously, the one on the left must yield. Pedestrians in crosswalks also get priority.
Controlled Intersections
- Stop Signs – Drivers must come to a complete stop, then yield to whoever arrived first.
- Yield Signs – Slow down, be ready to stop, and let crossing traffic go first if there’s a risk.
- Traffic Lights – Follow the light’s direction. Turning left requires yielding to opposing traffic unless a protected green arrow appears.
Driveways, Alleys & Private Roads
Maryland follows the boulevard rule, which means drivers entering a public road from a driveway or alley must stop and yield to all traffic on the main road. In many cases, those entering the flow are considered “unfavored” and must yield to the “favored” traffic.
Pedestrian Crosswalks
Drivers must yield to pedestrians in marked and unmarked crosswalks at intersections. In school zones or where crossing guards direct traffic, drivers must obey age‑specific pedestrian control signals. Failure to yield can lead to fines, demerit points, and civil liability.
Emergency & Construction Vehicles
When approaching emergency vehicles with lights/sirens, you must:
- Safely pull to the right and stop, unless directed otherwise.
- In multi-lane roads, yield by slowing or moving over.
This is crucial under the “Move Over” law; failing can result in fines and greater danger to emergency crews.
2024 Maryland Right‑of‑Way Accident Stats
Understanding right‑of‑way mishaps requires real data. Here are the latest figures:
- Maryland had 312 fatalities reported in 2024 and 243 so far as of July 2025
- Speeding remained a key risk: from 2019–2021, speed caused an average of 86 fatalities and 2,504 injuries per year.
These numbers underline how intersection mistakes—often right‑of‑way violations—drive serious accidents and fatalities.
Why Right‑of‑Way Matters Legally
- Preventing Collisions – Knowing exactly who must yield reduces hesitation and ambiguity at intersections—a major cause of crashes.
- Avoiding Traffic Tickets – Violations can trigger citations, like fines, points on your license, and court fees.
Points on your license may lead to higher insurance rates, suspensions, or administrative penalties.
Civil Liability & Negligence Claims
Even without a traffic ticket, causing an accident by failing to yield may trigger civil liability. Maryland operates on a “modified contributory negligence” basis:
- If you’re found more than 50% at fault, you lose the right to any recovery.
- If you’re found less than 50% at fault, damages are reduced proportionally.
In right-of‑way cases, the burden is on the driver entering or turning onto a road to prove they yielded. You should always speak to a car accident lawyer if you are in an accident.
Common Right‑of‑Way Mistakes in Maryland
- Rolling stops – Slowing but not fully stopping at stop signs.
- Turning without yielding – Especially during left-hand turns lacking arrows.
- Ignoring crosswalks – Underestimating pedestrian priority.
- Entering traffic too quickly – From private roads or driveways.
- Assuming green means go – Without checking for red-light runners or cross traffic.
These bad habits increase your risk of both citations and collisions.
Tips to Drive Safely & Legally
- Stop fully at every stop sign—feet stay off the gas until you move.
- Look left-right-left again before proceeding.
- Avoid rolling through yield signs on curb cuts or driveways.
- Be alert for pedestrians, especially at schools, walkways, or where crossing guards are present.
- Wait for a green turn arrow before turning left on lights without protected arrows.
What to Do After a Right‑of‑Way Crash
- Call 911 if anyone is injured.
- Document the scene – photos, witness names, and any signs or signals.
- Exchange info – license, insurance, contact details.
- File a crash report if needed
- Notify your insurer promptly.
- Consult a personal injury attorney to protect your legal rights and handle fault disputes, especially if injuries or rear-end claims are involved.
FAQs About Maryland Right‑of‑Way
Here are some common questions we get about right-of-way in Maryland.
Do I ever have an automatic right-of-way?
No. Right‑of‑way is always conditional—you must avoid endangering others, even if you legally have priority.
What happens if a driver runs a red light?
They can be ticketed, face points, and be held fully liable for any crash—even if your light was also green.
How do right‑of‑way laws apply to cyclists?
Cyclists are vehicles under Maryland law. They must stop at signs and lights but also can claim right‑of‑way at crosswalks or intersections. Drivers must respect this.
Are pedestrians always protected?
Drivers must yield in crosswalks and school zones. However, pedestrians must not step into traffic suddenly—both parties must exercise care.
We hope this blog post helped you answer the question: Do you know Maryland’s right of way rules?
Contact the Law Firm of Steven H. Heisler Today To Discuss Your Personal Injury Claim
The Maryland-based attorneys of Steven H. Heisler specializes in traffic accident cases, including right‑of‑way incidents. With decades of experience, they help drivers, passengers, cyclists, and pedestrians understand fault, negotiate with insurers, and litigate when needed. Call us today at (410) 625-4878 to set up a free consultation.