Ohio Revised Code

Ohio Rev. Code § 4511.42 (2026)

Right-of-way rule when turning left

✓ current as of May 2026
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(A) The operator of a vehicle, streetcar, or trackless trolley intending to turn to the left within an intersection or into an alley, private road, or driveway shall yield the right of way to any vehicle, streetcar, or trackless trolley approaching from the opposite direction, whenever the approaching vehicle, streetcar, or trackless trolley is within the intersection or so close to the intersection, alley, private road, or driveway as to constitute an immediate hazard.

(B) Except as otherwise provided in this division, whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor. If, within one year of the offense, the offender previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to one predicate motor vehicle or traffic offense, whoever violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree. If, within one year of the offense, the offender previously has been convicted of two or more predicate motor vehicle or traffic offenses, whoever violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the third degree.

If the offender commits the offense while distracted and the distracting activity is a contributing factor to the commission of the offense, the offender is subject to the additional fine established under section 4511.991 of the Revised Code.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 28 cases (7 in the last 5 years), 1964–2025 · leading case: Johnson v. Greater Cleveland Reg'l Transit Auth., 2021 Ohio 938 (Ohio Ct. App. 2021).
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Johnson v. Greater Cleveland Reg'l Transit Auth., 2021 Ohio 938 (Ohio Ct. App. 2021). · cites it 9× “ply brief in support of her cross-motion for partial summary judgment, appellee asserted that, “at this stage of the proceedings, [p]laintiff only seeks partial summary judgment on the issue of [Williams’] negligence per se” and requested that the trial court “enter partial…”
Rhodus v. Ohio Dep't of Transp., 588 N.E.2d 864 (Ohio Ct. App. 1990). “The evidence in the record shows that she had the opportunity, but did not do this. York testified that: “I slowed down getting ready to make my turn, and I glanced up past the sign and I didn’t see anything; so I went ahead and started to make my turn.”
State v. Petty, 2019 Ohio 4241 (Ohio Ct. App. 2019). “See R.C. 4511.42(A) (“The operator of a vehicle * * * intending to turn to the left within an intersection* * * shall yield the right of way to any vehicle * * * approaching from the opposite direction, whenever the approaching vehicle * * * is within the intersection or so…”
State v. Alford, 2013 Ohio 5045 (Ohio Ct. App. 2013). · cites it 3× “Second, he claims that the trial court erred in its characterization of the testimony of deputy sheriff Mike Williams.”
Covington v. Butcher, 2021 Ohio 1596 (Ohio Ct. App. 2021). · cites it 2× “42 entitled "[r]ight of way when turning left" provides "[t]he operator of a vehicle, * * * intending to turn to the left * * * into an alley, private road, or driveway shall yield the right of way to any vehicle * * * approaching from the opposite direction, whenever the…”
State v. Wilson, 2013 Ohio 3877 (Ohio Ct. App. 2013). · cites it 2× “" Wilson's counsel objected to this ruling and decided that he was not going to "avail [himself] the opportunity to 1. R.C. 4511.”
State v. Adams, 2011 Ohio 4008 (Ohio Ct. App. 2011). “{¶ 17} Officer Dedrick testified that the lane through which Defendant’s vehicle passed to the right of the vehicle turning left “is fairly wide” and that “[t]he width of the lane is big enough for two vehicles to pass through.” Further, any perceived hazard that may have posed…”
Koepke v. Metro. Prop. & Cas. Ins. Co., 2017 Ohio 4084 (Ohio Ct. App. 2017). “2d 554 , quoting former R.C. 4511.42. The traffic code contained the same definition of "right of way" as it does today.”
State v. Perry, 671 N.E.2d 623 (Ohio Ct. App. 1996). “19(A)(1), failing to yield, R.C. 4511.42, and having a prohibited blood-alcohol concentration, R.”
Kromenacker v. Blystone, 539 N.E.2d 675 (Ohio Ct. App. 1987). “The thrust of appellant’s argument is that evidence of violation of R.C. 4511.42 is sufficient to prove that ap-pellee was the sole and proximate cause of the collision.”
State v. Newell, 2017 Ohio 4143 (Ohio Ct. App. 2017). “14, and one count of failing to yield the right of way when making a left-hand turn in violation of R.C. 4511.42. {¶3} On March 7, 2016, Newell filed a motion to suppress any statements she made to the police and any evidence the state may seek to introduce at trial from her…”
Deming v. Osinski, 255 N.E.2d 279 (Ohio Ct. App. 1969). · cites it 3× “Section 4511.42 of the Revised Code states: “The operator of a vehicle, streetcar, or trackless trolley intending to turn to the left shall yield the right of way to any vehicle, streetcar, or trackless trolley approaching from the opposite direction.”
Show all 28 citing cases →
— Ohio Rev. Code § 4511.42(A) — 8 cases
Johnson v. Greater Cleveland Reg'l Transit Auth., 2021 Ohio 938 (Ohio Ct. App. 2021). “ply brief in support of her cross-motion for partial summary judgment, appellee asserted that, “at this stage of the proceedings, [p]laintiff only seeks partial summary judgment on the issue of [Williams’] negligence per se” and requested that the trial court “enter partial…”
State v. Petty, 2019 Ohio 4241 (Ohio Ct. App. 2019). “See R.C. 4511.42(A) (“The operator of a vehicle * * * intending to turn to the left within an intersection* * * shall yield the right of way to any vehicle * * * approaching from the opposite direction, whenever the approaching vehicle * * * is within the intersection or so…”
State v. Alford, 2013 Ohio 5045 (Ohio Ct. App. 2013). “Second, he claims that the trial court erred in its characterization of the testimony of deputy sheriff Mike Williams.”
State v. Adams, 2011 Ohio 4008 (Ohio Ct. App. 2011). “{¶ 17} Officer Dedrick testified that the lane through which Defendant’s vehicle passed to the right of the vehicle turning left “is fairly wide” and that “[t]he width of the lane is big enough for two vehicles to pass through.” Further, any perceived hazard that may have posed…”
Covington v. Butcher, 2021 Ohio 1596 (Ohio Ct. App. 2021). “42 entitled "[r]ight of way when turning left" provides "[t]he operator of a vehicle, * * * intending to turn to the left * * * into an alley, private road, or driveway shall yield the right of way to any vehicle * * * approaching from the opposite direction, whenever the…”
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