Missouri’s failure to yield statute requires drivers to yield the right of way to other vehicles and pedestrians in certain situations, such as when making a left turn or entering a roadway from a private drive or alley. The statute also requires drivers to slow down or stop when necessary to avoid colliding with a vehicle that has the right of way. Failure to comply with the statute can result in a traffic ticket and fines.
The failure to yield statute is important for maintaining traffic safety on Missouri’s roads. It helps prevent accidents and protects the rights of pedestrians and other drivers. Drivers should always be aware of their surroundings and yield the right of way when necessary to avoid causing harm or violating the law.
FAILURE TO YIELD – TRAFFIC TICKET STATUTE
304.351. Right-of-way at intersection — signs at intersections — violation, penalty — additional penalties — definitions — order of suspension, contents, appeal. —
- The driver of a vehicle approaching an intersection shall yield the right-of-way to a vehicle which has entered the intersection from a different highway, provided, however, there is no form of traffic control at such intersection.
- When two vehicles enter an intersection from different highways at approximately the same time, the driver of the vehicle on the left shall yield the right-of-way to the driver of the vehicle on the right. This subsection shall not apply to vehicles approaching each other from opposite directions when the driver of one of such vehicles is attempting to or is making a left turn.
- The driver of a vehicle within an intersection intending to turn to the left shall yield the right-of-way to any vehicle approaching from the opposite direction which is within the intersection or so close thereto as to constitute an immediate hazard.
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- The state highways and transportation commission with reference to state highways and local authorities with reference to other highways under their jurisdiction may designate through highways and erect stop signs or yield signs at specified entrances thereto, or may designate any intersection as a stop intersection or as a yield intersection and erect stop signs or yield signs at one or more entrances to such intersection.
- Preferential right-of-way at an intersection may be indicated by stop signs or yield signs as authorized in this section:
(a) Except when directed to proceed by a police officer or traffic-control signal, every driver of a vehicle approaching a stop intersection, indicated by a stop sign, shall stop at a clearly marked stop line, but if none, before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection, or if none, then at the point nearest the intersecting roadway where the driver has a view of approaching traffic in the intersecting roadway before entering the intersection. After having stopped, the driver shall yield the right-of-way to any vehicle which has entered the intersection from another highway or which is approaching so closely on the highway as to constitute an immediate hazard during the time when such driver is moving across or within the intersection.
(b) The driver of a vehicle approaching a yield sign shall in obedience to the sign slow down to a speed reasonable to the existing conditions and, if required for safety to stop, shall stop at a clearly marked stop line, but if none, then at the point nearest the intersecting roadway where the driver has a view of approaching traffic on the intersecting roadway. After slowing or stopping the driver shall yield the right-of-way to any vehicle in the intersection or approaching on another highway so closely as to constitute an immediate hazard during the time such traffic is moving across or within the intersection.
- The driver of a vehicle about to enter or cross a highway from an alley, building or any private road or driveway shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles approaching on the highway to be entered.
- The driver of a vehicle intending to make a left turn into an alley, private road or driveway shall yield the right-of-way to any vehicle approaching from the opposite direction when the making of such left turn would create a traffic hazard.
- The state highways and transportation commission or local authorities with respect to roads under their respective jurisdictions, on any section where construction or major maintenance operations are being effected, may fix a speed limit in such areas by posting of appropriate signs, and the operation of a motor vehicle in excess of such speed limit in the area so posted shall be deemed prima facie evidence of careless and imprudent driving and a violation of section 304.010.
- Notwithstanding the provisions of section 304.361, violation of this section shall be deemed a class C misdemeanor.
- In addition to the penalty specified in subsection 8 of this section, any person who pleads guilty to or is found guilty of a violation of this section in which the offender is found to have caused physical injury, there shall be assessed a penalty of up to two hundred dollars. The court may issue an order of suspension of such person’s driving privilege for a period of thirty days.
- In addition to the penalty specified in subsection 8 of this section, any person who pleads guilty to or is found guilty of a violation of this section in which the offender is found to have caused serious physical injury, there shall be assessed a penalty of up to five hundred dollars. The court may issue an order of suspension of such person’s driving privilege for a period of ninety days.
- In addition to the penalty specified in subsection 8 of this section, any person who pleads guilty to or is found guilty of a violation of this section in which the offender is found to have caused a fatality, there shall be assessed a penalty of up to one thousand dollars. The court may issue an order of suspension of such person’s driving privilege for a period of six months.
- As used in subsections 9 and 10 of this section, the terms “physical injury” and “serious physical injury” shall have the meanings ascribed to them in section 556.061.
- For any court-ordered suspension under subsection 9, 10, or 11 of this section, the director of the department shall impose such suspension as set forth in the court order. The order of suspension shall include the name of the offender, the offender’s driver’s license number, Social Security number, and the effective date of the suspension. Any appeal of a suspension imposed under subsection 9, 10, or 11 of this section shall be a direct appeal of the court order and subject to review by the presiding judge of the circuit court or another judge within the circuit other than the judge who issued the original order to suspend the driver’s license. The director of revenue’s entry of the court-ordered suspension on the driving record is not a decision subject to review under section 302.311. Any suspension of the driver’s license ordered by the court under this section shall be in addition to any other suspension that may occur as a result of the conviction under other provisions of law.
PENALTY OF CONVICTION
Penalties for a failure to yield conviction largely depend on the result, or damage, that occurred on account of the violation. If the violation caused physical injury, there is a fine of up to $200 and a suspension of the driver’s license for 30 days. If the violation causes a serious injury the fine is raised to up to $500 and a period of suspension of 90 days. Lastly, if the failure to yield caused a fatality, the penalty is up to $1000 and revocation of driving privileges for six months.
Suffice it to say, the penalties for this traffic violation are serious — and if you are facing a potential failure to yield conviction, it is crucial to contact a defense team that is experienced in traffic laws. At MRD Lawyers, we have the experience to ensure your rights are upheld.