Is It a Big Deal If Drivers Don’t Slow For Yield Signs in Oregon?

What we have here is a failure to yield. At least that's the case in the state of Oregon. It's such a big problem in the state that failing to yield the right-of-way was the cause in 3,326 serious crashes in 2020.

MANY PEOPLE WERE INJURED IN THE STATE BECAUSE DRIVERS AREN'T PAYING ATTENTION

The crashes included 179 pedestrian and 281 bicycle crashes. In the city of Portland it's particularly bad with 1,413 car crashes as the result of failing to yield. The crashes in Portland, Oregon resulted in seven fatalities and 704 non-fatal injuries.

SO WHAT EXACTLY DOES YIELD MEAN?

Oregon authorities say it's simple yielding means drivers need to wait until a path is clear of vehicle, walkers or bicycles.
Specifically Oregon law makes it clear that drivers must yield for other drivers at intersections. In other words a driver with a green light obviously has the right-of-way but it's important to remember to yield for other vehicles which are already in the intersection.

WATCH THOSE INTERSECTIONS

If the light is yellow or red drivers don't have the right-of-way. But remember in the state of Oregon people on bicycles in a bike lane have the right-of-way over vehicles. Drivers must stop for bicycle riders who are crossing in a bike lane or on a sidewalk.

KEEP YOUR EYES OPEN FOR THOSE WALKING AND BIKING

The emphasis on yielding in Oregon happened in 2019 when the state passed a Stop as Yield law. It simply means those on bicycles can treat stop signs like they are yield signs. The law was first introduced in Idaho in 1982. It went into effect in Washington State in 2019.

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