In road transport, a YIELD
(Canada, Ireland, and the United States) or GIVE WAY
(most current or former Commonwealth countries) traffic sign indicates that a vehicle driver must slow down and prepare to stop if necessary — usually while merging into traffic on another road — but needn't stop if the way is clear. A driver who stops has yielded his right of way to another. In contrast, a stop sign always requires a complete stop.
The first yield sign was installed in Tulsa, Oklahoma, having been devised and designed by Tulsan police officer Clinton Riggs. [1]
[2] [3] Riggs invented only the sign, not the rule, which was already in place. Despite Oklahoma being landlocked, it is sometimes suggested[by whom?] the rule was made by analogy to the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea.
Particular laws regarding installation and compliance with yield or give-way signs vary by jurisdiction.
|
GIVE WAY TICKETS
|
United States
In the Federal Highway Administration's
Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, a yield sign may be warranted:
[4]
#On the approaches to a through street or highway where conditions are such that a stop is not always required.
#At the second crossroad of a divided highway, where the median width at the intersection is 9 m or greater. In this case, a
stop or yield sign may be installed at the entrance to the first roadway of a divided highway, and a yield sign may be installed at the entrance to the second roadway.
#On a channelized turn lane that is separated from the adjacent travel lanes by an island, even if the adjacent lanes at the intersection are controlled by a
highway traffic control signal or by a stop sign.
#At an intersection where a special problem exists and where engineering judgment indicates the problem to be susceptible to correction by the use of the yield sign.
#Facing the entering roadway for a merge-type movement if engineering judgment indicates that control is needed because acceleration geometry and/or sight distance is not adequate for merging traffic operation.
In many states traffic is allowed to
turn right on a red light providing they first stop and must still then yield.
United Kingdom
By contrast, the
United Kingdom's
Road Traffic Act calls for
GIVE WAY
signs and road markings far more often at junctions (
intersections) where stop signs would be used in the US. The mandatory road marking accompanying the sign consists of a large inverted triangle painted just before the place to give way.
[5].
Stop signs are relatively rare, but some foreign drivers may stop anyway because that is their usual response at a junction, If a native driver behind them, seeing the way clear, does not expect them to stop, it can result in a
rear-end collision.
In the United Kingdom, a stop or give-way sign sign may be preceded by an inverted, blank, triangular sign with a subtitle plate saying, for example, "Give way 100 yards".
[6] In some other parts of Europe, the sign at the intersection itself is also blank.
Unlike intersections,
Roundabouts require drivers only to yield, not to stop; in normal conditions traffic flows more freely. However, a left turn on red is not permitted; lane- and direction-specific
traffic lights allow traffic to turn left while drivers wishing to go straight through the junction or turn right are held by a red light.
Republic of Ireland
In the Republic of Ireland, the sign reads "Yield" in most areas, though in
Gaeltacht (
Irish language-speaking) areas, it reads
Geill Slí
("Give Way") instead. Signs erected before
1997 and still in situ read "Yield Right of Way" instead of simply "Yield". Use of the sign is similar to that of the UK "Give Way" sign.
Gallery
References
- Title Unavailable
- Tulsa cop invented the 'yield' sign: ONLY IN OKLAHOMA.
- NewspaperARCHIVE.com - Search old newspaper articles online
- FHWA - MUTCD - 2003 Edition Revision 1 Chapter 2B
- "Road Markings"
- "Warning signs"