Yielding right-of-way can be a smart move

There are times when it's wrong to be right.

Thousands of motorists are killed every year in accidents that occur when someone doesn't yield the right-of-way-accidents that could have been avoided if the person with the right-of-way would have yielded to a vehicle that was in the wrong.

Right-of-way may be one of the most misunderstood or misapplied rules when traffic controls aren't present. The right-of-way simply refers to a motorists-right of action when two or more vehicles share a common space of highway or intersection.

Defensive drivers know that even if they have the right-of-way, the best course of action is often to yield to other drivers.

Take a look at the following right-of-way "traps" along with some actions a defensive driver might take.

• The light turns green, you move into the intersection and are hit by a vehicle running the red light. A defensive driver will first look to see if cross traffic has stopped before entering the intersection. If a truck or van is blocking your view, you might consider waiting until that vehicle moves out of the way and gives you a clear view.



• As you're driving along the street, a driver waiting at a stop sign suddenly pulls out in front of you. A defensive driver never assumes that other motorists will observe stop signs - instead, other drivers may think it's a four-way stop or simply be daydreaming. You might consider slowing down, using your horn and preparing to react.



• On the expressway, a merging vehicle tries to race you for a position. Defensive drivers anticipate the vehicle, move one lane to the left if possible, or slow down to give the other driver the room to merge safely.



• As you enter an intersection, an approaching vehicle suddenly turns left in front of you. Defensive drivers never assume a vehicle will yield to them. If you see a vehicle slowing down but not signaling, you might consider acting cautiously - slowing down and getting ready to brake.

Help is available

At Allstate, we want to not only provide the insurance coverage that helps protect your people and property, but to give you the peace of mind that comes from knowing you're backed by a team of Loss Control Consultants who understand your business and can help you prevent a loss before it happens.

That's why we've created the Allstate Safety Line at 800-877-6998, where Loss Control Consultants personally help small-business owners learn more about:

• Fleet and auto safety
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• Safety and health rules and regulations that apply to your particular business
• Much more

Just call us anytime with your contact information and briefly describe your question or issue. If a trained Loss Control Specialist isn't immediately available, one will call you back by the end of the next business day.