Without traffic laws, roads across the country would descend into chaos. Indiana right-of-way laws dictate when one driver must yield to another. For instance, if you’re attempting to merge onto a busy road but have a yield sign, you must wait for the road to be clear enough for you to turn.
The Indiana Driver’s Manual outlines the right-of-way laws drivers must follow. However, it makes a critically important clarification: even if you have the right-of-way in a given situation, you should yield to another driver if you must do so to avoid a crash.
For instance, if you’re at a stoplight and the light turns green, you have the right-of-way. If there’s a car still clearing the intersection, you should wait to proceed until it’s no longer in your path.
Whether you’ve been driving for decades or are still relatively new to the road, it’s important to take a few moments and double-check your understanding of Indiana right-of-way laws. It could save your life — or someone else’s.
Continue with this definitive legal guide to right-of-way laws in Indiana by skilled Indianapolis car accident lawyers SLG Accident Attorneys to learn more.
Right-of-Way at Intersections in Indiana
Indiana right-of-way laws at intersections vary depending on the type of intersection involved. There are three major types:
- Controlled Intersections: Intersections with traffic lights
- Uncontrolled Intersections: Intersections with four-way or two-way stop signs
- Three-Way Intersections: T-shaped intersections
Here’s a look at the right-of-way laws for each type.
Controlled Intersections
Most people know that a red light means “stop” and a green light means “go.” However, there are a number of other right-of-way laws drivers must follow to prevent car accidents:
- Drivers may make a right turn on a red light after coming to a full stop and verifying the way is clear
- Drivers making left turns on a green light must yield to oncoming traffic
- Drivers making U-turns on a green light must yield to oncoming traffic and cars making right turns
Ind. Code § 9-21-8-30 outlines the laws around making left turns. If you intend to make a left turn in an intersection, you must yield to oncoming traffic until the roadway is clear. You must use your turn signal and then make the turn when it’s safe to do so. While you’re making that turn, other drivers must yield to you.
In some cases, power outages or other unexpected circumstances may cause the traffic signals at controlled intersections to stop working. In this case, drivers should follow right-of-way rules for an uncontrolled intersection with a four-way stop.
Uncontrolled Intersections
At uncontrolled intersections, there are no traffic lights — only stop signs. The two main types of uncontrolled intersections are four-way intersections and two-way intersections.
At a four-way intersection (also called a four-way stop), each driver must stop at a stop sign before proceeding. If two cars arrive at their respective stop signs at the same time, the car on the right goes first.
Two-way stops usually appear when a side street intersects with a busy road. The drivers on the busy road are not required to stop, but the drivers on the side street are. At an intersection like this, you must come to a complete stop at the stop sign and only proceed when the road is clear.
Three-Way Intersections
Three-way intersections happen when one road ends, and they are normally T-shaped. These intersections will usually have one of a few possible traffic signals present:
- Stop Sign: Come to a full stop and proceed when it’s safe to do so
- Yield Sign: Yield to oncoming traffic and proceed when the road is clear
- Flashing Yellow Light: Yield to oncoming traffic and proceed when it’s safe
- Flashing Red Light: Come to a full stop and proceed when the roadway is clear
Although there are four possible types of traffic signals at three-way intersections, there are really just two courses of action. If you see a stop sign or a flashing red light, you must come to a complete stop and then wait for the roadway to clear to proceed. If you see a yield sign or a flashing yellow light, you must yield to oncoming traffic and then move forward when you can safely do so.
Right and Left Turns
Even without knowing the law, most drivers making turns use reasonable caution to prevent accidents. However, Ind. Code § 9-21-8-21 clarifies the exact procedures for making right or left turns at an intersection:
Right Turns
The law requires drivers to make approaches to right turns and the right turns themselves as close to the right-hand curb as is practical.
Simple Left Turns
When you approach the intersection to turn left, the law requires you to use the lane closest to the road’s center line. You must turn in a way that allows you to enter the other road on the right side of its center line.
Left Turns From a Two-Way Street to a One-Way Street
When making a left turn from a two-way street to a one-way street, you must be in the lane closest to the center line as you approach the turn. You must remain on the right side of that center line as you enter the intersection.
Left Turns From a One-Way to a Two-Way Street
When turning, you must enter the two-way street to the right of its center line.
Left Turns From a One-Way to Another One-Way Street
If you’re on a one-way street and making a left turn onto another one-way street, you should make the approach for the left-hand turn and the left-hand turn itself as close to the left-hand curb as is practical.
The law also acknowledges the fact that some intersections have signage directing drivers to take different actions. If you arrive at an intersection and see signage, you should follow that signage.
Indiana Right-of-Way Laws for Roundabouts
Roundabouts can be confusing even for experienced drivers. Roundabouts are circular intersections where each car can only enter or leave by making a right turn. When in the intersection, cars move counterclockwise. Ind. Code § 9-21-8-10 clarifies that vehicles in a roundabout may only be driven to the right of the center island.
Some roundabouts have multiple lanes that may make navigating them more confusing. When compact cars and larger vehicles like buses are navigating these multi-lane roundabouts at once, it can be dangerous.
When you understand Indiana right-of-way laws as they relate to roundabouts, you can reduce the risk of accidents. When you approach a roundabout, you must yield to traffic within it.
If you’re approaching a multi-lane roundabout, you must yield the right-of-way to large vehicles driving in the roundabout at the same time. When two large vehicles are within the roundabout at once, the driver in the right lane must yield to the driver on the left.
Are U-Turns Legal in Indiana?
U-turns are legal in Indiana. However, because they can be dangerous, they are prohibited on certain parts of certain roadways. If you want to make a U-turn and there is no sign prohibiting them, you may proceed with caution. The Indiana Driver’s Manual outlines these rules for safe U-turns:
- Always yield to other cars and pedestrians
- Don’t make a U-turn if you’re approaching a hill or grade
- Don’t make a U-turn on the curve of a road
- Don’t make a U-turn on an interstate
If you want to make a U-turn but you’re on an interstate, you should take the next exit and then re-enter the road going the right way.
Indiana Merging Laws and Right-of-Way When Entering a Highway
Interstate highways come with their own set of rules for drivers. Merging onto an interstate can sometimes prove to be challenging. These are some key Indiana right-of-way laws (as well as general tips) for merging safely onto a highway:
Yield to Cars on the Highway
You should never just assume another driver is going to make space for you. Cars on the highway have the right-of-way, so you should wait until you have enough space to safely merge.
Use the Acceleration Lane
Most larger interstates have an acceleration lane. This is a lane designed to give you enough space to reach a safe speed before merging. Acceleration lanes usually end after several hundred feet.
Keep to a Safe Speed
Merging at high speeds can be dangerous — especially if you’re not careful. Merging onto the highway while driving too slowly can cause an accident. However, you can also cause a crash if you accelerate so aggressively that you’re going much faster than other cars on the highway.
Use Your Turn Signal
Even if it seems obvious that you’re trying to merge, you should always indicate your intention using a turn signal. If you have your signal on as you’re preparing to merge, it gives other drivers advance notice so they can move over.
Adjust Speed if Needed
While it’s unsafe to drive very quickly or very slowly, you may find that you need to speed up or slow down to some extent to merge safely.
Merge Cooperatively
Strictly speaking, vehicles merging onto an interstate must yield to traffic already on the highway. However, drivers on the interstate should make allowances for anyone trying to merge. For instance, if you’re driving in the rightmost lane of the interstate and can see cars trying to merge, you should move into the lane to your left if it’s safe to do so.
What Is Indiana’s “Move Over” Law?
Like most states, Indiana has a “Move Over” law meant to protect police and first responders. The law includes instructions for two separate situations: if you’re being approached by an emergency vehicle or if you’re coming up on a stationary emergency vehicle.
If an Emergency Vehicle Is Approaching
If an emergency vehicle is not displaying its lights or sirens, you don’t have to yield. However, if you’re being approached by an emergency vehicle using its siren, flashing lights, or both, it’s involved in an active emergency. You should take the following steps:
- Yield the right-of-way
- Drive so you are parallel to the right-hand edge of the road
- Come to a stop until the vehicle has passed
The law clarifies that when you stop to let the emergency vehicle pass, you should not block an intersection.
If You Are Approaching a Stationary Emergency Vehicle
If a police car, ambulance, or other emergency vehicle is stopped at the side of the road with its sirens flashing, you should do the following:
- Move over into a lane that is not adjacent to the parked vehicle
- If you can’t safely change lanes, reduce your speed to at least 10 mph below the speed limit
Indiana takes first responders’ safety very seriously. If you fail to obey the law and cause serious injury, catastrophic injury, or death to anyone associated with the emergency vehicle, you can be charged with a Level 6 felony. If you violate the law but don’t cause an accident, you may face a Class A infraction.
Right-of-Way When There is a Yield Sign
A yield sign is a signal to yield to other traffic. Ind. Code § 9-21-8-33 goes into specifics as to what “yield” really means:
- When approaching a yield sign, slow to a reasonable speed
- If necessary, stop at the yield sign
- Yield to pedestrians crossing the street
- Yield to approaching vehicles that are close enough to pose a hazard
- Proceed when it’s safe to do so
If you ignore a yield sign and cause an accident, you may face serious legal consequences.
What Are the Right-of-Way Laws for Pedestrians in Indiana?
Pedestrian accidents can lead to devastating injuries. In Indiana, pedestrians have the right-of-way if they are in a designated crosswalk or if they have the appropriate signal at an intersection. This means that drivers must yield to pedestrians in crosswalks.
However, if a pedestrian is crossing the road outside of a designated crosswalk, they must yield to oncoming vehicles. You should look carefully to ensure you have enough time to safely cross before stepping into the road.
Indiana also requires pedestrians to use sidewalks if there are sidewalks available. This law helps keep pedestrians separated from traffic and reduces the risk of an accident.
Right-of-Way Laws for Bicyclists in Indiana
Indiana right-of-way laws for cyclists are fairly similar to those for cars. However, there are several bicycle-specific laws meant to protect both drivers and cyclists from bicycle accidents.
Sharing the Road
Even if there’s a bike lane or a sidewalk available, a cyclist has the right to take up a full lane of traffic. If a driver wishes to pass a cyclist, they must ensure there is at least three feet between their car and the bicyclist.
Stopping at Stop Signs
Indiana laws for bicyclists at stop signs are the same as those for cars at stop signs. If you’re a cyclist who comes upon a stop sign, you must come to a full stop and wait for your turn to proceed.
Stopping at Red Lights
Indiana’s laws for cyclists at red lights are somewhat unique. If you come to a red light and there are no cars around, the light’s sensors may not pick up on the fact that you’re waiting at the light. If you come to a red light, you can ride through it after waiting 120 full seconds (or two minutes). However, when those 120 seconds are up, you should first make sure it’s safe for you to go.
Turn Signals
In Indiana, bicyclists must use hand signals to indicate upcoming turns. To signal a left turn, stretch your left arm out to your side. For a right turn, you have two signaling options. You can either raise your left arm at a 90-degree angle or extend your right arm out to your side.
Skilled Indiana Car Accident Lawyers
Although Indiana right-of-way laws are clear, there are countless drivers who violate them every day — either accidentally or intentionally. If you’ve been injured in an accident caused by someone else, you shouldn’t be left to handle the fallout of your injuries alone.
The team at SLG Accident Attorneys is ready to help you recover the financial support you need to pay for your medical care, make up for your lost earnings, and move forward with your life. We keep our caseload relatively low to make sure every client receives our best effort.
We’re committed to providing unparalleled legal representation, but we also aim to give you as much support and guidance as you need. Many of our clients are struggling to come to terms with serious, life-altering injuries. We know that compensation can’t cure your injuries or make up for the pain your accident caused, but we hope it can offer you a sense of security in uncertain times.
Don’t go through a personal injury lawsuit alone. Call SLG Accident Attorneys or get in touch with us online to schedule a free consultation today.
