Failure to Yield on a Left Turn (TA Section 21‑402)

Left‑turn collisions and near‑misses are a common source of “failure to yield” tickets in Maryland. Because a turning vehicle must yield to oncoming traffic that presents an immediate hazard, officers frequently default to citing the turning driver—yet many of these cases are defensible once speed, distance, and sightlines are properly examined.

The statute: Transportation Article Section 21‑402

Under TA Section 21‑402, a driver intending to turn left at an intersection—or into an alley, private road, or driveway—must yield the right‑of‑way to any vehicle approaching from the opposite direction that is in the intersection or so close as to constitute an immediate hazard. The core questions are speed, distance, and visibility.

What the State tries to prove

Most cases rely on:

• Officer observation and crash scene statements
• Vehicle positions, damage patterns, and skid/brake marks
• Witness estimates of speed and distance

We often find those estimates are rough guesses formed after a stressful event. Photos, diagrams, and—when available—video can reframe the timing and show that the turn was reasonable when initiated.

Points and penalties

Failure‑to‑yield tickets are moving violations and can carry points under Maryland’s points framework. Points can raise insurance and, in higher totals, trigger MVA action. We aim for dismissals based on timing and visibility or negotiate point‑free resolutions (including PBJ) when appropriate.

Defense themes that matter

1. Speed and distance of the oncoming vehicle

• If the oncoming vehicle was speeding or accelerated into the intersection, what looked safe at the start of the turn can change suddenly. We use time‑distance analysis to show a reasonable decision to turn.

2. Sightlines and obstructions

• Parked vehicles, large SUVs, vegetation, or roadway curvature can restrict view. A conservative roll‑up and turn may still be reasonable under the circumstances.

3. Lane selection by the oncoming vehicle

• If the oncoming vehicle moved lanes or improperly entered a turn‑only lane, the turning driver’s “immediate hazard” decision changes. Lane diagrams and intersection photos support this analysis.

4. Contributory driver behavior

• Distraction, late braking, or a last‑second lane change by the oncoming vehicle can be decisive in court and in negotiations.

After the ticket

• Don’t pay online; paying accepts points.
• Get daylight photos of the intersection (all approaches), lane markings, and sightline obstructions.
• Write down estimated speeds, distances, and whether the oncoming vehicle changed lanes.
• If there were cameras (store fronts, traffic cams), note locations so we can request footage.

Court strategy and outcomes

We combine time‑distance exhibits, intersection photos, and witness cross‑examination to challenge “immediate hazard” assumptions. If responsibility is shared or unclear, we target negotiated no‑point results that protect your license and insurance.

For a practical overview of avoiding points on Maryland tickets, visit our Traffic Lawyers page.