# Transportation (GTR)

## Title 21. Vehicle Laws -- Rules of the Road

### Subtitle 4. Right-of-Way

#### Section 21-401

Except at through highways, or as otherwise provided in this subtitle, a vehicle at an intersection:

(1) Has the right-of-way over any other vehicle approaching from the left; and

(2) Shall yield the right-of-way to any other vehicle approaching from the right.

#### Section 21-401.1

At a "T" intersection with no traffic control device, any person driving a vehicle on a highway that intersects but does not cross the other highway shall yield the right-of-way to any vehicle traveling on the other highway.

#### Section 21-402

(a) If the driver of a vehicle intends to turn to the left in an intersection or into an alley or a private road or driveway, the driver shall yield the right-of-way to any other vehicle that is approaching from the opposite direction and is in the intersection or so near to it as to be an immediate danger.

(b) If the driver of a vehicle intends to turn to go in the opposite direction, the driver shall yield the right-of-way to any approaching vehicle that is so near as to be an immediate danger.

#### Section 21-403

(a) Preferential right-of-way at an intersection may be indicated by stop signs or yield signs placed in accordance with the Maryland Vehicle Law.

(b) If the driver of a vehicle approaches a through highway, the driver shall:

  (1) Stop at the entrance to the through highway; and

  (2) Yield the right-of-way to any other vehicle approaching on the through highway.

(c) If a stop sign is placed at the entrance to an intersecting highway, even if the intersecting highway is not part of a through highway, the driver of a vehicle approaching the intersecting highway shall:

  (1) Stop in obedience to the stop sign; and

  (2) Yield the right-of-way to any other vehicle approaching on the intersecting highway.

(d) If a "yield" sign facing the driver of a vehicle is placed on the approach to an intersection, the driver shall:

  (1) Approach the intersection with caution;

  (2) Yield the right-of-way to any other vehicle approaching on the other highway; and

  (3) If necessary, stop in order to yield this right-of-way.

#### Section 21-404

(a) The driver of a vehicle about to enter or cross a highway from a private road or driveway or from any other place that is not a highway shall stop.

(b) The driver of a vehicle about to enter or cross a highway from a private road or driveway or from any other place that is not a highway shall yield the right-of-way to any other vehicle approaching on the highway.

(c) In this section, "paved highway" means a highway that has a hard, smooth surface of gravel, shells, crushed stone, paving blocks, asphalt, concrete, or other similar substance.

(d) The driver of a vehicle about to enter or cross a paved highway from an unpaved highway shall stop.

(e) The driver of a vehicle about to enter or cross a paved highway from an unpaved highway shall yield the right-of-way to any other vehicle approaching on the paved highway.

#### Section 21-404.1

(a) The driver of a vehicle about to enter or cross any other part of a highway from a crossover, whether or not sign posted, shall yield the right-of-way to any other vehicle approaching on that part of the highway.

(b) The approach to and method of making a left turn at a crossover shall be made as required by Sec. 21-601(b) and (c) of this title.

#### Section 21-405

(a) On the immediate approach of an emergency vehicle using audible and visual signals that meet the requirements of Sec. 22-218 of this article or of a police vehicle lawfully using an audible signal, the driver of every other vehicle, unless otherwise directed by a police officer, shall yield the right-of-way.

(b) On the immediate approach of an emergency vehicle using audible and visual signals that meet the requirements of Sec. 22-218 of this article or of a police vehicle lawfully using an audible signal, the driver of every other vehicle, unless otherwise directed by a police officer, shall drive immediately to a position parallel to and as close as possible to the edge or curb of the roadway, clear of any intersection.

(c) On the immediate approach of an emergency vehicle using audible and visual signals that meet the requirements of Sec. 22-218 of this article or of a police vehicle lawfully using an audible signal, the driver of every other vehicle, unless otherwise directed by a police officer, shall stop and stay in this position until the emergency vehicle has passed.

(d) A driver, when proceeding in the same direction as an emergency or police vehicle, may not pass an emergency vehicle using audible and visual signals that meet the requirements of Sec. 22-218 of this article or a police vehicle lawfully using an audible signal unless:

  (1) The emergency vehicle has stopped; or

  (2) Otherwise directed by a police officer.

(e)

  (1) This subsection applies to a stopped, standing, or parked vehicle that is:

    (i)

      (1) On a highway;

      (2) Using a visual signal that meets the requirements of Sec. 22-218 or Sec. 22-218.2 of this article; and

    (3)

      (A) A commercial motor vehicle providing emergency maintenance to a disabled vehicle;

      (B) An emergency vehicle;

      (C) A service vehicle as defined under Sec. 22-201 of this article;

      (D) A tow truck that is properly registered in accordance with Sec. 13-920 of this article; or

      (E) A waste or recycling collection vehicle; or

    (ii)

      (1) On a highway; and

      (2) Displaying:

      (A) Hazard warning lights;

      (B) Road flares; or

      (C) Other caution signals, including traffic cones, caution signs, or nonvehicular warning lights.

  (2) Unless otherwise directed by a police officer or a traffic control device, the driver of a motor vehicle that approaches from the rear a stopped, standing, or parked vehicle to which this subsection applies shall:

    (i) If practicable and not otherwise prohibited and with due regard for safety and traffic conditions, make a lane change into an available lane not immediately adjacent to the stopped, standing, or parked vehicle; or

    (ii) If the driver of the motor vehicle is unable to make a lane change in accordance with item (i) of this paragraph, slow to a reasonable and prudent speed that is safe for existing weather, road, and vehicular or pedestrian traffic conditions.

(f) This section does not relieve the driver of an emergency vehicle from the duty to drive with due regard for the safety of all persons.

#### Section 21-406

(a) A person may not commit a violation of this subtitle that contributes to an accident that results in the death or, as defined in Sec. 20-102(c) of this article, serious bodily injury of another person.

(b)

  (1) A person convicted of a violation of this section is subject to a fine not exceeding $1,000.

  (2)

    (i) The Administration may suspend the license of a person convicted of a violation of this section for a period not exceeding 180 days.

    (ii) In accordance with Title 12, Subtitle 2 of this article, a licensee may request a hearing on a license suspension imposed under this paragraph.

---

Md. Code Ann., Transp. (as displayed at mgaleg.maryland.gov, October 16, 2026)