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Anytime you fail to obey a traffic sign, you risk getting a ticket. That’s true whether we’re talking about stop signs, stop lights, or yield signs. But did you know that there are other times when you’re expected to stop or yield even when there’s no sign posted? Well, now you do! Here’s what else you should know about failure to yield tickets in New Jersey.

What Does Failure To Yield Mean?

Simply put, “failure to yield” means that you didn’t yield the right of way to a person who deserved it. The right of way is the legal right to use a particular roadway, like an intersection or a turn lane. Whoever has the right of way is the person who should be given first access to that roadway. Failing to yield it to them can result in you getting a ticket with a steep fine.

When you need to yield the right of way to another driver or you spot a yield sign, you’ll need to slow down to a reasonable speed and allow all other traffic to pass first. Of course, yield signs are not stop signs. You do not always need to come to a complete and total stop at a yield sign like you would a stop sign.

Sometimes, slowing down and almost stopping might be enough to satisfy the law. What matters most is that you take due care to ensure that you yield the right of way to the people who rightfully have it.

How Does One Yield at an Intersection?

How you yield at an intersection will depend on a number of factors. First, check for any signs or markings unique to that intersection that might change the ordinary rules. Always obey the signs at that specific intersection before sticking with the general course of actions, which are as follows:

First, slow to a reasonable speed. If necessary, stop completely. Whether slowing is acceptable or not will depend on the flow of traffic. If there are quite a few cars in the intersection, you might have to stop to provide them all with ample time to get out of the way.

Second, yield the right of way to all vehicles currently in the intersection. A vehicle that is already in the intersection (and that lawfully entered it before you did) will almost always have right of way in any given situation.

Third, yield the right of way to all vehicles that would result in a hazard if you continued along your course. For example, if your intention is to turn left across traffic, you will need to yield the right of way to oncoming traffic before making that turn.

Penalties for Failure To Yield New Jersey

Failure to yield the right of way in any of the above situations can result in you getting a “failure to yield” ticket. These tickets, unfortunately, are moving violations. That means the penalties are quite a bit more serious than your run-of-the-mill parking tickets. Here’s what you might be facing if you’re convicted of failing to yield in New Jersey:

• A fine of $85.
• Two points on your license.
• Increased insurance premiums.
• A surcharge of $33.
• Up to 15 days in jail.

Although these tickets can result in jail time, courts very rarely issue such a verdict. That penalty is typically only associated with perpetrators with multiple convictions already on their record, who show no remorse for their actions, and who have committed the violation in a particularly egregious manner.

If you’ve found yourself facing off against the New Jersey state traffic court and are wondering how to handle your failure to yield ticket, fret not! There are countless attorneys in your local area just chomping at the bit to go to court on your behalf. So why face these penalties alone when you can take your case to court and win it with WinIt?