Right-of-Way Laws In Illinois

Illinois roads are filled with motorists traveling toward innumerable destinations, requiring roadways to intersect at locations where drivers are compelled to move forward or make turns to the right or left. These intersections may be guided or unguided. Traffic signal lights control guided intersections, while unguided intersections require drivers to follow the directions of road signs and rely on their knowledge of the state’s right-of-way laws for unguided intersections.

Following right-of-way laws in Illinois is a crucial aspect of driving, not only to avoid traffic citations but also to prevent serious intersection accidents and liability for property damage, medical expenses, lost earnings, and compensation for pain and suffering to injury victims. Reach out to our auto accident lawyer in Chicago if you’ve been injured due to another driver not following the right-of-way.

Understanding Right-of-Way In Unguided Intersections In Illinois

The term “right of way” refers to a driver’s right to continue along their intended path at an intersection. 

• When a motorist arrives at an intersection lacking traffic signals, the first driver to arrive at the intersection has the right to proceed through the intersection first, and other drivers arriving at the intersection with the intention of moving in a conflicting direction must yield the right of way. 
• If more than one driver arrives at the intersection at the same time, the driver on the right has the right of way and proceeds through the intersection first.
• When making a left turn at an unguided intersection, or to make a left turn into a parking lot or driveway, the driver turning left must wait until the way is clear before making a turn because the opposing traffic has the right of way.

Finally, right-of-way laws in Illinois also apply to pedestrians in intersections. Drivers must yield the right of way to pedestrians in crosswalks, including unmarked crosswalks where sidewalks end on one side of an intersection and continue on the other side. Drivers must yield to pedestrians in a crosswalk even if the no-walk signal is illuminated.

Understanding Right-of-Way Laws at Guided Intersections In Illinois

Although traffic signal lights provide an effective means of guiding traffic flow through intersections, confusion sometimes arises when a driver fails to yield, intentionally runs a red light, attempts a U-turn, or turns right on a red light. Understanding the following rules of the right-of-way at signalized intersections in Illinois is crucial to avoiding accidents.

• Drivers approaching a signalized intersection with a green light have the right of way to proceed through the intersection; however, this right of way is not absolute. If a vehicle is approaching the intersection at a high rate of speed from a conflicting direction, a driver must react with caution and ensure that the other driver slows to a stop before the driver with the right-of-way enters the intersection.
• When a green light changes to yellow, it indicates that the motorists approaching the light are losing the right of way. A driver who is close to the intersection when the light turns yellow may still proceed through the intersection, but other drivers approaching must slow to a stop before the light turns red. Whether or not passing through an intersection under a yellow light is negligent depends on determining if more harm would be caused by slamming on the brakes. Drivers approaching a yellow light must consider their vehicle’s speed while approaching, the weather conditions, and the location of other vehicles before crossing the intersection.
• A red light indicates that traffic flow moving in that direction no longer has the right of way and must stop at the indicated line and yield the right of way to vehicles approaching from a conflicting direction.
• Drivers may make a right turn at a red light unless signage prohibits the turn at the specific hour or in general.

A flashing yellow light indicates that drivers may proceed carefully, and drivers must treat a flashing red light as a stop sign, yielding the right-of-way to traffic and pedestrians until the way is clear.

Contact the Chicago personal injury attorneys at Smith LaCien today for a free consultation on your auto accident case.