right-of-way - merging vs. oncoming traffic in Pennsylvania
As depicted in the Google satellite image below, I (red) was merging onto the southbound lane of Route 89. At the yield sign (at location of the red dot) I observed that there were no approaching cars in the southbound lane. However, there was a car (blue) in the northbound lane who had their turn signal on to turn left into the Cafe parking lot. I did not see my interaction with this vehicle to be any different than if I had already been on Route 89 and I proceeded without stopping.
However, based on the blue vehicles actions, it is clear that they thought that I should have stopped at the yield sign and allowed them to turn in front of me.
Who had the right of way in this instance?
Note that projected paths are dotted and already traveled paths are solid in the above image.
The location is rural Pennsylvania.
I should note that I understand the importance of defensive driving and being ready and aware of what others actually do, even if it is not in line with the rules. I'm simply trying to understand what the rule is in this situation. Who actually has the right-of way here and who "should" be yielding?
Best Answer
The Pennsylvania Driver's Manual says about yield signs:
When you see this sign, you must slow down and check for traffic and give the right-of-way to pedestrians and approaching cross traffic. You stop only when it is necessary. Proceed when you can do so safely without interfering with normal traffic flow. Remember, you must have a sufficient gap in traffic before you can continue on at either STOP or YIELD sign locations.
As the driver of the merging vehicle, orange track, I would have considered the turning vehicle to be approaching cross traffic and yielded to it. As the driver of the turning vehicle, blue track, I would have expected the merging vehicle to yield, but not counted on it.
If the driveway had been a bit further down the road, I would have gone ahead and merged, but been ready for the turning vehicle to turn.
To make this answer more travel-related, drive extra defensively when away from your home area. You have less knowledge of how people normally drive, and what is expected. If in doubt about whether to yield, do yield. Watch what other drivers seem to expect.
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Answer 2
The small dirt road, is, a completely separate road a short distance south of the road you were on.
You were already on 89 heading south, and the other guy was turning left in front of you.
To put it another way, the yield sign on your road (of course, obviously) only applies to your road. The yield sign does not apply (of course, obviously) to any other road, such as the dirt road / driveway nearby.
It's commonplace that you have two roads and/or driveways right by each other and (of course) you still have to stick to the rules.
When turning left across a highway you have to (of course) yield to oncoming traffic.
Nothing more to it.
Answer 3
By the time the other person was turning, you were fully on the road - and he had to cross a solid line to turn in front of you. To me, you clearly had the right of way and were in the right.
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Images: Elena Saharova, Andrea Piacquadio, Erik Mclean, Тамара Левченко