Boulevard rule

Boulevard Rule is a legal principle that is applied in traffic law to determine liability in an accident. It is a rule of the road that requires a driver entering a through highway or other main thoroughfare, from a smaller side road or entrance, to yield the right of way to vehicles traveling on the main road. The rule is named after the boulevards where it is often applied, but it is applicable on any type of road or highway.

Origin

The Boulevard Rule originated in the United States and has been adopted in many jurisdictions around the world. It was designed to regulate traffic and prevent accidents at intersections where one road is clearly more heavily traveled than the other. The rule is based on the principle that the driver with the best opportunity to avoid an accident should be the one to yield.

Application

The application of the Boulevard Rule varies by jurisdiction. In some areas, the rule is strictly enforced, while in others, it is used as a guideline for determining fault in an accident. The rule is often used in conjunction with other traffic laws and regulations, such as speed limits and traffic signals, to determine liability in a traffic accident.

Criticism

Critics of the Boulevard Rule argue that it places too much responsibility on the driver entering the main road, and not enough on the drivers already on the road. They argue that all drivers should be equally responsible for avoiding accidents, regardless of where they are on the road.

See also

• Right of way
• Traffic law
• Liability (law)