Delaware Traffic Yield Laws
QUESITON: Who YIELDS – left-turning traffic or right-turning traffic?
THE ANSWER: If you answered both left-turning traffic and right-turning traffic yield — you are 100% correct. However, the real dilemma is when does left-turning traffic yield and when does right-turning traffic yield? The answer to when left and when right should be simple, but unfortunately due to INCONSISTENCIES in Delaware intersection designs, motorists traveling Delaware roadways can be confused. While this topic (INCONSISTENCIES) will be discussed in greater detail in upcoming chapters utilizing the “Gift of Life” principles of “Smart Defense” — here is a little help for now.
Left-Turning Traffic Yields:
A left-turn when traveling on a 2-way road and left-turn on a GREEN TRAFFIC SIGNAL (Pictures 2-6, 2-7 and 2-8 below are all examples of left-turn YIELDS). The left-turn YIELD has been a driving requirement for decades.
Two-Way Roads – Picture #2-6
Left-Turn on a Green Traffic Signal – Picture #2-7
Left-Turn on a Green Traffic Signal – Picture #2-8
Right-Turning Traffic Yields:
Right-Turning Traffic in a designated right-turn lane containing a YIELD SIGN when the right-turn lane is separated from straight traffic by a raised and/or painted traffic island (see arrows below).
Picture #2-9
Please note the above picture #2-9 contains a YIELD SIGN (yellow & black arrow #1) where the right-turn lane is separated from straight traffic by a raised traffic island (yellow & black arrow #2). This intersection design where the traffic signal no longer controls right-turning traffic is an example of how the switch occurred causing right-turning traffic to at times become the YIELDING TRAFFIC.
