July 9, 2018
Ask the Chief
Q: Can you advise as to what can be done when there is neither a yield nor stop sign at any of the corners? An example would be on the corner of West 7th Street and Jefferson. This intersection is becoming increasingly dangerous, and there are frequently kids playing on the Jefferson School playground.
Thank you for this question, as the safety of our children is very important to our Department and community. When approaching an uncontrolled intersection, the driver of a vehicle shall stop to yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian crossing the roadway within a marked crosswalk or at an intersection with no marked crosswalk. When vehicles arrive at the uncontrolled intersection at the same time, the vehicle on the left shall yield the right of way to the vehicle on the right. All other uncontrolled intersection situations, the vehicle turning left must yield the right of way to the vehicle that is continuing on its roadway or turning right.
For an uncontrolled T intersection, the vehicle turning must yield the right of way to the cross traffic. Vehicles that are traveling at an unlawful speed shall forfeit any right-of-way which the driver might otherwise have hereunder.
Failure to yield the right of way to other vehicles, is a petty misdemeanor, potential fine of $125. Failure to yield the right of way for pedestrians in the crosswalk is a misdemeanor, potential fine of $175, and second or more offense of failure to yield for a pedestrian in the crosswalk within one year of first offense is a gross misdemeanor, which is an arrestable offense.
References:
1. Minnesota Statute, 169.20 Right of Way, located online at: https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/2017/cite/169.20?keyword_type=all&keyword=uncontrolled intersection
2. Minnesota Statute, 169.21, Pedestrians, located online at: https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/2017/cite/169.21?keyword_type=all&keyword=pedestrian