North Carolina’s Right-of-Way Laws and Penalties for Violations

Intersection Right-of-Way Rules

The laws on the right-of-way in intersections are not always understood by motorists. Here are common ones that drivers must comply with:

• If a vehicle is in the intersection, other drivers must give it the right of way.
• When two drivers arrive at an unmarked intersection at the same time, the vehicle that is traveling straight has the right of way.
• At a stop sign, drivers must yield to through traffic.
• Drivers who are exiting a driveway must yield the right of way to vehicles on the road.

Penalties for Right-of-Way Violations

If you are ticketed for failure to yield the right of way, you will be assessed a $35 fine for failing to yield to motorists, $100 for failing to yield to a pedestrian, and $250 for failing to yield to an emergency vehicle and may also owe court costs. You will also have three demerit points for failure to yield to motorists or emergency vehicles and four demerit points for not yielding to a pedestrian added to your driving record.

While these penalties may not appear too severe, they can have long-term consequences on your auto insurance costs and may result in your driver’s license being suspended if you accumulate too many demerit points on your driving record. You need to consult with an experienced traffic law attorney before deciding whether it is in your best interests to fight the ticket. To learn how we can assist you, call our Charlotte office to schedule a free consultation.