Arizona’s Right of Way Laws and Personal Injury Cases

Arizona right-of-way rules depend on the maneuver and the traffic controls at the scene. Left turns, stop signs, crosswalks and driveway exits each have specific rules. Start with the rule for the movement involved, then compare it with the crash report and available evidence. This guide links to the Arizona Legislature so you can check the full text.

What is Right of Way?

Arizona’s Right of Way Laws

1. ARS 28-771: When vehicles approach an intersection from different roads at about the same time, the driver on the left yields to the driver on the right, subject to the exceptions in the statute. At an uncontrolled T intersection, traffic on the terminating road yields to traffic on the continuing road. A driver entering a freeway yields to a vehicle on the main roadway entering the merging area at the same time.
2. ARS 28-772: A driver turning left within an intersection yields to oncoming traffic that is already in the intersection or close enough to present an immediate hazard.
3. ARS 28-773: After stopping at a stop sign, a driver proceeds cautiously and yields to vehicles that do not have to stop when they are in the intersection or close enough to present an immediate hazard.
4. ARS 28-774: A driver entering or crossing a highway from a private road or driveway yields to closely approaching traffic on the highway. Freeway merging is addressed separately in ARS 28-771(C).
5. ARS 28-855: At a stop sign, stop before the near-side crosswalk, or at the marked stop line if there is no crosswalk. If neither exists, stop where approaching traffic is visible before entering the intersection. At a yield sign, slow to a reasonable speed and yield to traffic that presents an immediate hazard.
6. ARS 28-856: In a business or residential district, a driver leaving an alley, driveway or building stops before crossing the sidewalk area, yields to pedestrians as needed to avoid a collision, and yields to closely approaching vehicles when entering the road.
7. ARS 28-793: A pedestrian crossing outside a marked crosswalk or an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection yields to roadway traffic. The statute also addresses crossing the roadway where a pedestrian tunnel or overpass is provided. Between adjacent intersections with operating traffic signals, pedestrians must use a marked crosswalk.
8. ARS 28-646: A WALK signal permits a pedestrian to begin crossing, and drivers must yield. A pedestrian must not start on a DO NOT WALK signal. Someone who began crossing on WALK should continue to a sidewalk or safety island if the signal changes.
9. ARS 28-792: Where signals are absent or not operating, drivers yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk on their half of the road, or approaching closely enough from the other half to be in danger, subject to the statutory exception. A pedestrian must not enter so suddenly that a nearby driver cannot yield. Drivers must not pass a vehicle stopped for a pedestrian at a qualifying crosswalk.
10. ARS 28-796: Pedestrians must use an available sidewalk instead of the adjacent roadway. Where there is no sidewalk, they walk on the left side or shoulder facing traffic when practicable. The statute also prohibits standing in the roadway to ask for a ride.

How right-of-way evidence relates to an injury claim

A right-of-way rule can help frame a fault question, but the sequence of events still needs evidence. For a left-turn collision, identify each vehicle’s direction and position. For a driveway exit, record the driveway location and the traffic approaching on the road.

Keep original scene photos, witness details and the report number. A citation is one part of the record. An individual claim also requires a review of the injuries, the conduct of everyone involved and the applicable law.

Right of Way Laws Can Affect Your Personal Injury Case in Arizona