Chapter 4: Right-of-Way
Texas Driver Handbook
Enter or Leave Controlled-Access Highway
The driver traveling on a frontage road of a controlled-access highway must yield the right-of-way to a vehicle:
• Entering or about to enter the frontage road from the highway; and
• Leaving or about to leave the frontage road to enter the highway.
YIELD
ONE-WAY FRONTAGE ROAD
YIELD
YIELD
YIELD
TWO-WAY FRONTAGE ROAD
Driving on Multiple-Lane Roads
On a road divided into three or more lanes with traffic moving in the same direction, a vehicle entering a lane of traffic from the
right must yield the right-of-way to a vehicle entering the same lane of traffic
from the left.
Railroad Grade Crossings
When approaching a railroad grade crossing, stop between 15 and 50 feet from the nearest rail if:
1. A clearly visible railroad signal warns of an approaching train
2. A crossing gate is lowered or a flag person warns of an approaching train
3. A driver is required to stop by an official traffic-control device or a traffic-control signal
4. An approaching train is within about 1,500 feet of the crossing. The train will produce an audible signal to identify the immedi-
ate hazard.
5. An approaching train is visible and in close proximity to the crossing
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Chapter 4: Right-of-Way
Texas Driver Handbook
You are required to stop at a railroad grade crossing and remain stopped until allowed to proceed or it is safe to proceed.
A person who fails to obey the law regarding railroad grade crossings is subject to a fine of $50 to $200.
Additional Safe Driving Procedures at Railroad Crossings
1. If a railroad crossing is marked only with a cross-buck sign or reduce speed sign, then look both ways, and listen for a whistle.
If a train is approaching, stop. If a train is not approaching, proceed with caution.
2. If red lights are flashing at a railroad crossing, stop. If a train is approaching, remain stopped until the train passes and the lights
stop flashing.
3. If the railroad crossing gates have been lowered, stop. Remain stopped and wait until the train passes and the gates are raised
before crossing.
4. Be sure the tracks are clear before you proceed to cross. There may be two or more sets of tracks. One train could be blocking
the view of another.
5. Never stop on the tracks. If your car stalls on the tracks and you cannot restart it, get out and try to push the car off the tracks.
If you cannot push the car off the tracks, get help. If a train is approaching and your vehicle is stalled, get out quickly and move
away from the tracks. Run toward the approaching train to the side of the tracks and avoid flying debris.
6. Remember, trains do not and cannot stop at crossings. Trains always have the right-of-way.
7. Audible signs or whistles may be difficult to hear when approaching railroad crossings. Roll your windows down, turn your
radio down, and listen carefully.
If you encounter a railroad grade crossing signal problem, call the Texas Department of Public Safety Communications Center
at (800) 772-7677 or call your local police department or county sheriff’s office. Each railroad crossing signal has an identifying
number. Please note the number and be ready to provide it when reporting a problem.
Yield Right-of-Way to Emergency Vehicles
You must yield the right-of-way to police cars, fire trucks, ambulances, and other emergency ve-
hicles sounding a siren, bell, or flashing red light. If traffic allows, pull to the right edge of the
road and stop. If you are unable to pull over to the right, slow down and leave a clear path for the
emergency vehicle.
1. You are not allowed to follow within 500 feet of a fire truck answering an alarm or an ambulance
when the flashing red lights are on.
2. Do not drive or park on the street where the fire truck has answered an alarm.
3. Do not park in a location that interferes with the arrival or departure of an ambulance to or from
the scene of an emergency.
Unless otherwise directed by a law enforcement officer, drivers who approach a stopped emergency vehicle with its lights activated
must:
1. Vacate the lane closest to the emergency vehicle if the highway has two or more lanes traveling in the direction of the emergency
vehicle;
2. Slow to a speed not more than 20 mph less than the posted speed limit when the posted speed limit is 25 mph or more; or
3. Slow to a speed less than 5 mph when the posted speed limit is less than 25 mph.
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Chapter 4: Right-of-Way
Texas Driver Handbook
Yield Right-of-Way to School Buses
Stop
Stop
SCHOOL
BUS
You must yield the right-of-way to school buses. Always drive with care when you are near a school bus. If you approach a school
bus from either direction and the bus is displaying alternately flashing red lights, you must stop. Do not pass the school bus until:
1. The school bus has resumed motion;
2. You are signaled by the driver to proceed; or
3. The red lights are no longer flashing.
It is not necessary to stop when passing a school bus on a different road or when on a controlled-access highway where the bus is
stopped in a loading zone and pedestrians aren’t permitted to cross. A person who fails to obey the law regarding yielding the right-
of-way to school buses displaying alternating, flashing lights is subject to the penalties listed in Table 17.
Table 17: Penalties for Failure to Yield Right-of-Way to School Bus
Conviction
Penalty
1st conviction
A fine of $500 - $1,250.
2nd conviction and every conviction after (within 5 years)
A fine not less than $1000 or more than $2000, possible suspension of driver
license for up to six months.
Person causes serious bodily injury to another when pass-
ing a stopped school bus
Class A misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $4,000 and/or up to one
year in jail.
Person causes serious bodily injury to another and has
previously been convicted of passing a school bus and
causing serious bodily injury
State jail felony punishable by 180 days to 2 years confinement and a possible
fine of up to $10,000.
Avoid Turning a Car into a Deadly Weapon
You should always be on the lookout for individuals who are on foot (pedestrians) whether they have the right-of-way or not. Drivers
must give the right-of-way to pedestrians:
1. At an uncontrolled intersection (there are not any traffic signs or signals for the pedestrian to enter the crosswalk)
2. If the pedestrian has a WALK signal or
a. If there is not a pedestrian control signal, give the pedestrian the right-of-way on a green light.
b. If the light changes after the pedestrian has entered the crosswalk, still give the pedestrian the right-of-way.
Yield Here to Pedestrian Signs
The “Yield Here to Pedestrians” sign is used when yield lines are used in advance of a marked crosswalk that
crosses an uncontrolled multi-lane roadway.
In-Street and Overhead Pedestrian Crossing Signs
The “In-Street Pedestrian Crossing” signs or the “Overhead Pedestrian Crossing” signs may be used to remind road
users of laws regarding right-of-way at a pedestrian crosswalk without signals.
The “In-Street Pedestrian Crossing” signs are placed in the road at the crosswalk location on the center line, on a lane line, or on a
median island. The “In-Street Pedestrian Crossing” signs will not be posted on the left- or right-hand side of the road.
The “Overhead Pedestrian Crossing” signs are placed over the roadway at the crosswalk.
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