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169.20 Right-of-way.

Subdivision 1. Approaching intersection. When two vehicles enter an uncontrolled intersection from different highways at approximately the same time, the driver of the vehicle on the left shall yield the right-of-way to the vehicle on the right.

When two vehicles enter an intersection controlled by stop signs or by blinking red traffic signals requiring drivers or vehicles from any direction to stop before proceeding, the driver of the vehicle on the left shall yield the right-of-way to the vehicle on the right.

At an uncontrolled approach to a T-shaped intersection, the driver required to turn shall yield to the cross traffic.

The driver of any vehicle traveling at an unlawful speed shall forfeit any right-of-way which the driver might otherwise have hereunder.

The foregoing rules are modified as hereinafter stated in this section.

Subd. 2. Left turns. The driver of a vehicle intending to turn to the left within an intersection or into an alley, private road, or driveway shall yield the right-of-way to any vehicle approaching from the opposite direction which is within the intersection or so close thereto as to constitute an immediate hazard.

Subd. 3. Through highway; stop sign. The driver of a vehicle shall stop as required by this chapter at the entrance to a through highway and shall yield the right-of-way to other vehicles which have entered the intersection from the through highway or which are approaching so closely on the through highway as to constitute an immediate hazard, but the driver having so yielded may proceed, and the drivers of all other vehicles approaching the intersection on the through highway shall yield the right-of-way to the vehicles so proceeding into or across the through highway.

The driver of a vehicle shall likewise stop in obedience to a stop sign, as required herein, at an intersection where a stop sign is erected at one or more entrances thereto although not a part of a through highway, and shall proceed cautiously, yielding to vehicles not so obliged to stop which are within the intersection or approaching so closely as to constitute an immediate hazard, but may then proceed.

Subd. 4. Vehicle entering roadway. The driver of a vehicle about to enter or cross a roadway from any place other than a roadway shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles approaching on the roadway to be entered or crossed.

Subd. 5. Emergency vehicle. (a) Upon the immediate approach of an authorized emergency vehicle equipped with at least one lighted lamp exhibiting red light visible under normal atmospheric conditions from a distance of 500 feet to the front of such vehicle and, except where otherwise not required by law, when the driver is giving audible signal by siren, the driver of each other vehicle shall yield the right-of-way and shall immediately drive to a position parallel to and as close as possible to the right-hand edge or curb of the highway clear of any intersection, and shall stop and remain in this position until the authorized emergency vehicle has passed, except when otherwise directed by a police officer. The driver of another vehicle on a one-way roadway shall drive to the closest edge or curb and stop. The driver of an authorized emergency vehicle escorting the movement of a vehicle or load which is oversize or overweight need not sound an audible signal by siren but shall exhibit the light required by this paragraph. The driver of each other vehicle then shall yield the right-of-way, as required by this paragraph, to the emergency vehicle escorting the vehicle or load which is oversize or overweight.

(b) Upon the approach of an authorized emergency vehicle the driver of each street car and the operator of each trackless trolley car shall immediately stop such car clear of any intersection and keep it in this position and keep the doors and gates of the street car or trackless trolley car closed until the authorized emergency vehicle has passed, except when otherwise directed by a police officer.

(c) A peace officer may arrest the driver of a motor vehicle if the peace officer has probable cause to believe that the driver has operated the vehicle in violation of paragraph (a) within the four-hour period following the termination of the emergency incident.

(d) This subdivision shall not operate to relieve the driver of an authorized emergency vehicle from the duty to drive with due regard for the safety of persons using the highways.

Subd. 5a. Citation. A peace officer may issue a citation in lieu of arrest to the driver of a motor vehicle if the peace officer has probable cause to believe that the driver has failed to yield the right-of-way to an emergency vehicle in violation of subdivision 5.

Subd. 5b. Violation; penalty for owners and lessees. (a) If a motor vehicle is operated in violation of subdivision 5, the owner of the vehicle, or for a leased motor vehicle the lessee of the vehicle, is guilty of a petty misdemeanor.

(b) Paragraph (a) does not apply if (1) a person other than the owner or lessee was operating the vehicle at the time the violation occurred, or (2) the owner presents written evidence that the motor vehicle had been reported to a law enforcement agency as stolen at the time of the violation.

(c) Paragraph (a) does not apply to a lessor of a motor vehicle if the lessor keeps a record of the name and address of the lessee.

(d) Paragraph (a) does not prohibit or limit the prosecution of a motor vehicle operator for violating subdivision 5.

(e) A violation under paragraph (a) does not constitute grounds for revocation or suspension of the owner's or lessee's driver's license.

Subd. 6. Funeral procession. When any funeral procession identifies itself by using regular lights on all cars and by keeping all cars in close formation, the driver of every other vehicle, except an emergency vehicle, shall yield the right-of-way.

Subd. 7. Transit bus. The driver of a vehicle traveling in the right-hand lane of traffic shall yield the right-of-way to any transit bus attempting to enter that lane from a bus stop or shoulder, as indicated by a flashing left turn signal.

HIST: (2720-196, 2720-197, 2720-198, 2720-199, 2720-200, 2720-201) 1937 c 464 s 46-51; 1939 c 430 s 9; 1947 c 428 s 17; 1955 c 595 s 1; 1965 c 423 s 1; 1967 c 268 s 1; 1978 c 739 s 10; 1985 c 249 s 1; 1986 c 444; 1987 c 383 s 9; 1990 c 503 s 2; 1993 c 83 s 2; 1993 c 304 s 1,2; 1997 c 239 art 3 s 1

Official Publication of the State of Minnesota
Revisor of Statutes