Utah Intersection Accidents: Right-of-Way at Four-Way Stops, Yield Signs, and Broken Signals
General information, not legal advice. Read the full disclaimer.
Short answer: At a Utah intersection without a traffic-control device, the driver approaching must yield to any vehicle that has already entered the intersection from a different highway, and if two vehicles arrive at about the same time, the driver on the left yields to the driver on the right (Utah Code § 41-6a-901). That same "on the right" rule applies when a signal is inoperative or the intersection is controlled by stop signs from all directions. After stopping at a stop sign, a driver must yield to vehicles in the intersection or approaching so closely as to be an immediate hazard; at a yield sign, a driver slows, stops if needed for safety, and yields (§ 41-6a-902). Fault is then divided by percentage.
Who this guide is for
Utah drivers, passengers, cyclists and pedestrians hurt in intersection crashes — and anyone trying to figure out who had the right-of-way.
Intersections with no signal or sign
Under § 41-6a-901 (effective May 12, 2015; confirm current text):
- Vehicle already in the intersection. A driver approaching an unregulated intersection yields to any vehicle that has entered from a different highway.
- Equal arrival. When more than one vehicle approaches from different highways at about the same time, the vehicle on the left yields to the vehicle on the right — in an unregulated intersection, one where the signal is inoperative, or one with stop signs in all directions.
- Roads that end or aren't paved. A driver on a highway that does not continue beyond the intersection yields to vehicles on the intersecting highway, and a driver on an unpaved highway yields to vehicles on a paved intersecting highway.
- A violation is an infraction.
Stop signs and yield signs
Section 41-6a-902 (effective May 5, 2021) provides:
- Stop signs. Stop at the marked stop line; if none, before the near-side crosswalk; if none, at the point nearest the intersecting roadway with a view of approaching traffic. After stopping, yield to vehicles in the intersection or approaching so closely as to constitute an immediate hazard, and yield to pedestrians in an adjacent crosswalk.
- Yield signs. Slow to a speed reasonable for conditions and, if required for safety, stop. Then yield to vehicles in the intersection or approaching on another roadway so closely as to be an immediate hazard, and to pedestrians in an adjacent crosswalk.
- Collisions at yield signs. A collision with a vehicle in the intersection, or with a pedestrian in an adjacent crosswalk, after passing a yield sign without stopping is prima facie evidence of failure to yield, but the statute says it is not negligence per se.
- Bicycles. Cyclists have a limited stop-sign allowance under § 41-6a-1105. See Utah Pedestrian and Bicycle Accident Claims.
Turning and entering
A driver turning left yields to oncoming traffic that is an immediate hazard, and a driver entering a highway from a driveway or other place yields to all vehicles on the highway (§ 41-6a-903). See Utah Left-Turn Accident Fault.
Traffic signals
For signalized intersections, who had the green (or whether anyone ran the light) is the central fact. This guide covers right-of-way when signals aren't controlling. Evidence of signal phase includes camera footage, signal timing records, witnesses and event data recorders.
Shared fault
Utah uses comparative negligence: your fault doesn't alone bar recovery, but you can recover only from defendants whose fault combined exceeds yours, and each defendant pays only its percentage (§ 78B-5-818; § 78B-5-820). Right-of-way is not absolute — a driver with the right-of-way can still be partly at fault for speeding, distraction or failing to avoid a crash. See Utah's Comparative Fault Rule, Utah Speeding Crash Claims, and Utah Distracted Driving Accident Claims.
After an intersection crash
- Call 911, get medical care, and photograph signs, markings, sight lines and vehicle positions.
- Note nearby cameras and ask for preservation quickly.
- Report to your insurer; PIP pays regardless of fault. See Utah's PIP Coverage Explained.
- Request the report. See How to Request a Utah Accident Report.
- A general damages claim against the other driver requires meeting a threshold. See Utah's No-Fault Tort Threshold.
Frequently asked questions
Who has the right-of-way at a four-way stop in Utah?
Drivers must stop; when vehicles arrive at about the same time, the driver on the left yields to the driver on the right.
What if the traffic light is out?
Section 41-6a-901 applies the unregulated-intersection yield rules, including yielding to the driver on the right at equal arrival, when the signal is inoperative.
Does running a yield sign make me automatically at fault?
A collision after passing a yield sign without stopping is prima facie evidence of failure to yield, but it isn't negligence per se.
Can both drivers be partly at fault?
Yes; fault is allocated by percentage.