What the Yield? Understanding this Common Traffic Sign

While driving your New York discount car rental around, especially if it’s on heavily traveled federal or state highways, you will most likely encounter a yield sign. Some people don’t always know what it is or how to respond to it. Let’s take a look.

What a Yield Sign Looks Like

A yield sign is an upside down triangle that is typically red and white. Sometimes they will say “Yield” in the middle or “Yield Right of Way.” But is the right of way and how do you abide by it while in your New York discount car rental?

Right-of-Way Laws

The right-of-way laws are one of the first things people typically learn when they first learn to drive. Usually learners try to correlate common sense with the regulations: any vehicle to the right of your New York discount car rental has the right-of-way, unless you’re on a bigger road.

What Yield Signs Remind Us Of

Yield signs remind us that many accidents can occur at intersections when drivers lose track of what car goes first. A lot of experienced drivers will classify yield signs as an often-ignored traffic sign.

In crowded urban areas (such as New York), drivers will make quick decisions about whether or not they yield to pedestrians. This decision is most often based on the amount of frantic, honking traffic behind them and their New York discount car rental.

Responding to Yield Signs in Your Car Rental

According to the New York State driver’s manual, a yield sign means:

“Slow down as you approach the intersection. Prepare to stop and yield the right-of-way to vehicles and pedestrians in or approaching the intersection. You must come to a full stop at a YIELD sign if traffic conditions require it. When you approach a YIELD sign, check carefully for traffic, and be prepared to stop.”

In practical terms, what does a yield sign mean? And how do you respond to it? Here are some guidelines:

1. If you and another car, driving on similar roads (city streets, suburban streets, rural roads etc.), and come to an intersection at the same time, the right-most car has the right-of-way.
2. If you are entering a larger road, such as a highway, from a smaller street or a ramp, expect to see a yield sign. Look for adequate space in the lane that you are entering in. Keep in mind that the other cars are already going much faster than you. Do not enter the lane until you can do so without crowding other cars or making them rapidly change lanes to make room for you.
3. Pedestrians always have the right-of-way. Stop for them, whether you hear honking or not. This is a law, regardless of whether you see a yield sign. If a yield sign is there, it serves to remind you that there have been previous accidents or near misses at that particular crosswalk.
4. Keep an eye out for drivers who may ignore yield signs. If you’re on a highway, play it safe by avoiding driving in the lane closest to entry and exit ramps unless you’re taking the next exits.

While driving your New York discount car rental, always be prepared to stop and yield to another vehicle’s right of way. New York can have frantic traffic, but it’s important to stay safe and legal.